Brad Mehldau - Anlasis Tesis Solos

Analytic, Descriptive, and Prescriptive
Components of Evolving Jazz:

A New Model Based on the Works of
Brad Mehldau
Mark Edward Baynes
An exegesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Musical Arts
The University of Auckland
2015
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Abstract
Jazz has steadily evolved from its inception in the late 19th century to the present. As is the
case for other genres, musicological analytic research on jazz evolution has lagged behind its
practice; consequently, there is a paucity of in-depth descriptive and analytic research on the
music of recent innovators. Among the most recent examples of this evolution, the works of
Brad Mehldau as a solo/ensemble pianist and as a composer arguably embody some of the
most compelling innovations in the field. Non-academically oriented jazz writers and fans
have consistently assigned these works vanguard status, but Mehldau’s output has not yet
been sufficiently examined to prescribe performance methods. This exegesis contains (1)
descriptive analysis of improvisation contained within a broad cross-section of Mehldau’s
music; (2) definition of a new analytical lexicon derived from a holistic study of consonance,
dissonance, and research into perceived motivation in music; and (3) prescriptive musical
tools relating to consonance and dissonance that have informed the researcher’s performance.
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Acknowledgements
I would like to express my special thanks to Dr David Lines, Associate Professor W. Dean
Sutcliffe, Dr Davinia Caddy, Kevin Field, Dr Mark Kramer, Gary Burton, Jo Shum, Steve
Harvie, Alex Freer, Tom Dennison, Dixon Nacey, Nick Marsh, Jason Orme, Chrissie Hart,
Hadyn Godfrey, Chris Mason-Battley, Phil Broadhurst, Kim Paterson, Tom Rainey, Mike
Booth and Stephen Morton-Jones. Your encouragement, wisdom and support have been
invaluable to me.
Thanks to Brad Mehldau, Larry Grenadier, Jorge Rossy, Matt Chamberlain, Joshua Redman
and Jeff Ballard for your truly inspirational music. It has been a real pleasure exploring your
improvisations and interactions; through your music I have come to understand more about
jazz, music and myself. For that alone, I am truly grateful.
Last but not least I would like to thank my wife Arian, for her constant support and belief in
me. The last four years have been a wild ride, and she has always found a way to understand
the need for me to lock myself in the study. Cups of tea, sandwiches and emotional support
were almost always free flowing; one degree and two children later and we are still smiling!
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Table of Contents
Abstract .................................................................................................................................................. iii
Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................ iv
List of Figures ........................................................................................................................................ xi
List of Tables ........................................................................................................................................ xiv
Chapter 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 15
1.1. About the Researcher ................................................................................................................. 15
1.2. Exegesis ...................................................................................................................................... 16
1.3. Chapter Outline .......................................................................................................................... 16
Chapter 2. Background/Literature ......................................................................................................... 19
2.1. Who Is Brad Mehldau? .............................................................................................................. 19
2.2. What Is Mehldau’s Musical Contribution to Jazz Music? ......................................................... 20
2.2.1. Redefinition of Left and Right Hands ................................................................................. 20
2.2.2. Expansion of Trio Repertoire .............................................................................................. 20
2.2.3. Rhythmic Phrasing .............................................................................................................. 21
2.2.4. Freedom from Cliché .......................................................................................................... 22
2.3. Why Study Mehldau? ................................................................................................................. 22
2.4. Annotated Discography .............................................................................................................. 22
2.4.1. Mehldau, B. (1995). Introducing Brad Mehldau/The Brad Mehldau Trio. ........................ 22
2.4.2. Mehldau, B. (1997). The Art of the Trio. Volume One/The Brad Mehldau Trio. ............... 23
2.4.3. Mehldau, B. (1998). The Art of the Trio. Volume Two/The Brad Mehldau Trio. ............... 23
2.4.4. Mehldau, B. (1998). The Art of the Trio. Volume Three/The Brad Mehldau Trio.............. 23
2.4.5. Mehldau, B. (1999). Elegiac Cycle/Brad Mehldau Solo Piano. ......................................... 23
2.4.6. Mehldau, B. (1999). The Art of the Trio. Volume Four/The Brad Mehldau Trio. .............. 24
2.4.7. Mehldau, B. (2000). Places/The Brad Mehldau Trio. ........................................................ 24
2.4.8. Mehldau, B. (2001). The Art of the Trio. Volume Five/The Brad Mehldau Trio. ............... 24
2.4.9. Mehldau, B. (2002). Largo/Brad Mehldau. ........................................................................ 24
2.4.10. Mehldau, B. (2004). Anything Goes/The Brad Mehldau Trio. ......................................... 24
2.4.11. Mehldau, B. (2004). Live in Tokyo/Brad Mehldau Solo Piano. ........................................ 25
2.4.12. Mehldau, B. (2005). Day Is Done/The Brad Mehldau Trio. ............................................. 25
2.4.13. Mehldau, B. (2006). House on Hill/The Brad Mehldau Trio. ........................................... 25
2.4.14. Mehldau, B. (2008). Brad Mehldau Trio Live/The Brad Mehldau Trio. .......................... 25
2.4.15. Mehldau, B. (2010). Highway Rider/Brad Mehldau. ........................................................ 25
2.4.16. Mehldau, B. (2011). Live in Marciac/Brad Mehldau Solo Piano. .................................... 26
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2.4.17. Album Summary ............................................................................................................... 26
2.5. Analysis of the Music of Brad Mehldau .................................................................................... 27
2.6. Model of Consonance and Dissonance ...................................................................................... 29
2.7. Music and the Psychology of Expectation: Huron ..................................................................... 30
2.7.1. ITPRA ................................................................................................................................. 31
2.7.2. Imagination Response and Tension Response .................................................................... 31
2.7.3. Prediction Response/Effect ................................................................................................. 31
2.7.4. Reaction Response and Appraisal Response ....................................................................... 32
2.7.5. Contrastive Valence/Limbic Contrast ................................................................................. 32
2.7.6. PRA ..................................................................................................................................... 33
2.8. Limitations of Exegesis .............................................................................................................. 33
2.9. Research Intentions .................................................................................................................... 35
Chapter 3. Methodology ........................................................................................................................ 37
3.1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 37
3.2. Theory ........................................................................................................................................ 37
3.3. Selection Process ........................................................................................................................ 37
3.3.1. Initial Selection ................................................................................................................... 37
3.3.2. Primary Listen ..................................................................................................................... 39
3.3.3. Secondary Listen ................................................................................................................. 40
3.3.4. Third Listen ......................................................................................................................... 42
3.3.5. Initial Observations ............................................................................................................. 42
3.3.6. Initial Conclusions............................................................................................................... 43
3.3.7. Additional Selection ............................................................................................................ 44
3.4. Analytical Research.................................................................................................................... 44
3.4.1. Transcription of Material .................................................................................................... 44
3.4.2. Transcription Method .......................................................................................................... 46
3.4.3. Live Performances............................................................................................................... 46
3.5. Analytical Research.................................................................................................................... 47
3.5.1. Traditional Jazz Analysis .................................................................................................... 47
3.5.2. Study with Gary Burton ...................................................................................................... 47
3.5.3. Cognitive Analysis .............................................................................................................. 48
3.5.4. New Model of Analysis....................................................................................................... 48
3.6. Analytical Trial .......................................................................................................................... 48
3.7. Practice-Directed Component .................................................................................................... 49
3.7.1. Recital 1: The Evolving Emulation of Mehldau’s Style ..................................................... 50
3.7.2. Recital 2: Compositions of Brad Mehldau .......................................................................... 50
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3.7.3. Recital 3: My Compositions ................................................................................................ 50
3.7.4. Recital 4: Notes from New York City: Compositions Written in and Inspired by the City
That Never Sleeps ......................................................................................................................... 50
3.7.5. Recital 5: Final Performance ............................................................................................... 50
Chapter 4. Consonance and Dissonance (C/D) ..................................................................................... 51
4.1. Introduction to C/D .................................................................................................................... 51
4.2. Introduction to Vertical C/D ...................................................................................................... 51
4.2.1. Single Notes ........................................................................................................................ 51
4.2.2. Dyads ................................................................................................................................... 53
4.2.3. Triadic and Other Chordal Dissonance ............................................................................... 55
4.2.4. Diagonal Harmony .............................................................................................................. 56
4.2.5. Summary of Vertical C/D ................................................................................................... 58
4.3. Introduction to Horizontal Tonal C/D ........................................................................................ 59
4.3.1. Consonant Melodicism (Marked/Unmarked) with a Romantic Bent.................................. 59
4.3.2. Dissonant Melodicism ......................................................................................................... 61
4.3.3. Motif and Call and Response .............................................................................................. 62
4.3.4. Chromaticism ...................................................................................................................... 64
4.3.5. Linear Tonality .................................................................................................................... 65
4.3.6. Perceptual Tonal Dissonance .............................................................................................. 67
4.3.7. Summary of Horizontal Tonal C/D ..................................................................................... 69
4.4. Introduction to Rhythmic C/D.................................................................................................... 70
4.4.1. Diminishing Dispersal ......................................................................................................... 70
4.4.2. Metric Asynchronicity......................................................................................................... 72
4.4.3. Metric Shift ......................................................................................................................... 73
4.4.4. Temporal Density ................................................................................................................ 75
4.4.5. Expressive Variation ........................................................................................................... 76
4.4.6. Summary of Rhythmic C/D................................................................................................. 77
4.5. Introduction to Organic C/D ...................................................................................................... 77
4.5.1. Melodic Quotes ................................................................................................................... 78
4.5.2. Phrase Rhythm/Hypermetric Dissonance............................................................................ 80
4.5.3. Harmonic Destabilisation .................................................................................................... 81
4.5.4. Harmonic Repetition ........................................................................................................... 83
4.5.5. Summary of Organic C/D ................................................................................................... 84
4.6. Introduction to Cultural C/D ...................................................................................................... 85
4.6.1. Blues .................................................................................................................................... 87
4.6.2. Quotations ........................................................................................................................... 87
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4.6.3. Crips .................................................................................................................................... 89
4.6.4. Formulaic Improvisation ..................................................................................................... 95
4.6.5. Cultural Dissonance ............................................................................................................ 97
4.6.6. Summary of Cultural C/D ................................................................................................... 98
4.7. Introduction to Holistic Examples/Contrastive Valence ............................................................ 99
4.7.1. ‘Tres Palabras’ – 2m17s .................................................................................................... 101
4.7.2. ‘Sky Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith)’ – 2m20s .............................................................. 102
4.7.3. ‘The Nearness Of You’ – 3m07s....................................................................................... 103
4.7.4. ‘Madrid’ – 1m32s .............................................................................................................. 103
4.7.5. ‘Someone To Watch Over Me’ – 6m02s .......................................................................... 104
4.7.6. ‘Elegy For William Burroughs And Allen Ginsberg’ – 3m .............................................. 105
4.7.7. Problems concerning Classification of C/D ...................................................................... 105
4.7.8. Summary of Holistic Examples/Contrastive Valence ....................................................... 108
4.8. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 108
Chapter 5. Case Studies ....................................................................................................................... 109
5.1. Introduction to the Case Studies............................................................................................... 109
5.2. ‘Tres Palabras’.......................................................................................................................... 110
5.2.1. Observations ...................................................................................................................... 112
5.2.2. Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 115
5.3. ‘Secret Beach’ .......................................................................................................................... 116
5.3.1. Observations ...................................................................................................................... 116
5.3.2. Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 120
5.4. ‘Sky Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith)’ ................................................................................... 120
5.4.1. Observations ...................................................................................................................... 124
5.4.2. Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 125
5.5. ‘Blame It On My Youth’ .......................................................................................................... 126
5.5.1. Observations ...................................................................................................................... 126
5.5.2. Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 130
5.6. ‘Highway Rider’ ....................................................................................................................... 131
5.6.1. Observations ...................................................................................................................... 131
5.6.2. Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 136
5.7. ‘Anything Goes’ ....................................................................................................................... 137
5.7.1. Observations ...................................................................................................................... 137
5.7.2. Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 142
5.8. ‘Elegy For William Burroughs And Allen Ginsberg’ .............................................................. 142
5.8.1. Observations ...................................................................................................................... 142
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5.8.2. Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 147
5.9. ‘When It Rains’ ........................................................................................................................ 147
5.9.1. Observations ...................................................................................................................... 148
5.9.2. Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 154
5.10. ‘Ode’....................................................................................................................................... 155
5.10.1. Observations .................................................................................................................... 155
5.10.2. Conclusions ..................................................................................................................... 163
5.11. ‘River Man’ ............................................................................................................................ 163
5.11.1. Observations .................................................................................................................... 176
5.11.2. Conclusions ..................................................................................................................... 182
5.12. Summary of Case Studies ...................................................................................................... 184
Chapter 6. Practice Directions Using the Analytical Framework ....................................................... 193
6.1. Introduction to Practice Component ........................................................................................ 193
6.2. Vertical C/D ............................................................................................................................. 194
6.2.1. Single Notes and Dyads .................................................................................................... 194
6.2.2. Diagonal C/D..................................................................................................................... 194
6.2.3. Vertical Hyper-Dissonances .............................................................................................. 195
6.3. Horizontal C/D ......................................................................................................................... 195
6.3.1. Consonant and Dissonant Melodicism .............................................................................. 196
6.3.2. Motif and Call and Response ............................................................................................ 196
6.3.3. Chromaticism .................................................................................................................... 197
6.3.4. Linear Tonality .................................................................................................................. 197
6.3.5. Perceptual Tonal Dissonance ............................................................................................ 198
6.4. Rhythmic C/D .......................................................................................................................... 199
6.4.1. Diminishing Dispersal and Expressive Variation ............................................................. 199
6.4.2. Metric Asynchronicity/Metric Shift and Temporal Density ............................................. 200
6.5. Organic C/D ............................................................................................................................. 200
6.5.1. Melodic Quotes ................................................................................................................. 201
6.5.2. Hypermetric Dissonance ................................................................................................... 201
6.5.3. Harmonic Destabilisation .................................................................................................. 201
6.6. Cultural C/D ............................................................................................................................. 203
6.6.1. Blues .................................................................................................................................. 204
6.6.2. Formulaic Improvisation ................................................................................................... 204
6.7. Music and the Psychology of Expectation ............................................................................... 205
6.7.1. Prediction Response/Effect ............................................................................................... 205
6.7.2. Reaction Response and Appraisal Response ..................................................................... 205
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6.7.3. Contrastive Valence/Limbic Contrast ............................................................................... 205
6.7.4. PRA ................................................................................................................................... 207
6.8. Holistic Concept ....................................................................................................................... 208
6.8.1. Observations ...................................................................................................................... 212
6.8.2. Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 215
6.9. Compositional C/D ................................................................................................................... 215
6.9.1. Vertical Dissonance........................................................................................................... 216
6.9.2. Conjunct Melodicism/Romanticism .................................................................................. 217
6.9.3. Motif .................................................................................................................................. 218
6.9.4. Organic C/D ...................................................................................................................... 220
6.9.5. Contrastive Valence .......................................................................................................... 221
6.10. Summary of Practice Directions ............................................................................................ 222
6.11. Summary of Exegesis ............................................................................................................. 223
References ........................................................................................................................................... 224
Bibliography ........................................................................................................................................ 224
Discography ........................................................................................................................................ 228
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List of Figures
Figure 1: Track Specifics and Improvisational Notes ........................................................................... 39
Figure 2: Location of Stylistic Elements ............................................................................................... 42
Figure 3: ‘Anything Goes’ – 5m02s ...................................................................................................... 54
Figure 4: ‘Elegy For William Burroughs And Allan Ginsberg’ – 2m05s ............................................. 54
Figure 5: ‘How Long Has This Been Going On’ – 3m29s ................................................................... 55
Figure 6: ‘Bealtine’ – 5m57s ................................................................................................................. 55
Figure 7: ‘I'll Be Seeing You’ – 1m42s ................................................................................................ 56
Figure 8: ‘How Long Has This Been Going On’ – 6m05s ................................................................... 56
Figure 9: ‘From This Moment On’ – 2m33s ......................................................................................... 57
Figure 10: ‘Lament For Linus’ – 2m49s ............................................................................................... 57
Figure 11: ‘Nobody Else But Me’ – 2m56s .......................................................................................... 58
Figure 12: ‘Sky Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith)’ – 4m09s ................................................................ 58
Figure 13: ‘Say Goodbye’ – 3m52s ...................................................................................................... 61
Figure 14: ‘Dreamsville’ – 3m53s ........................................................................................................ 61
Figure 15: ‘Secret Beach’ – 4m47s ....................................................................................................... 62
Figure 16: ‘Knives Out’ – 2m17s .......................................................................................................... 63
Figure 17: ‘Secret Beach’ – 5m19s ....................................................................................................... 64
Figure 18: ‘When It Rains’ – 3m12s ..................................................................................................... 64
Figure 19: ‘Say Goodbye’ – 5m18s ...................................................................................................... 65
Figure 20: ‘Exit Music (For A Film)’ – 5m14s ..................................................................................... 66
Figure 21: ‘29 Palms’ – 3m44s ............................................................................................................. 67
Figure 22: ‘Ode’ – 4m17s ..................................................................................................................... 68
Figure 23: ‘Elegy For William Burroughs And Allen Ginsberg’ – 2m58s ........................................... 69
Figure 24: ‘Madrid’ – 1m38s ................................................................................................................ 71
Figure 25: ‘The Nearness Of You’ – 3m07s ......................................................................................... 71
Figure 26: ‘Anything Goes’ – 4m22s .................................................................................................... 73
Figure 27: ‘When It Rains’ – 4m50s ..................................................................................................... 73
Figure 28: ‘Knives Out’ – 2m59s .......................................................................................................... 74
Figure 29: ‘I'll Be Seeing You’ – 4m59s .............................................................................................. 76
Figure 30: ‘The Nearness Of You’ – 3m07s ......................................................................................... 77
Figure 31: ‘Sky Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith)’ – 1m59s ................................................................ 79
Figure 32: ‘Anything Goes’ – 4m22s .................................................................................................... 80
Figure 33: ‘Blame It On My Youth’ – 5m12s ....................................................................................... 81
Figure 34: ‘I Fall In Love Too Easily’ – 3m27s ................................................................................... 82
Figure 35: ‘Blame It On My Youth’ – 3m48s ....................................................................................... 82
Figure 36: ‘River Man’ – 8m30s ........................................................................................................... 83
Figure 37: ‘Kurt Vibe’ – 1m34s ............................................................................................................ 87
Figure 38: ‘Unrequited’ – 2m48s .......................................................................................................... 90
Figure 40: ‘Prelude To A Kiss’ – 2m52s .............................................................................................. 91
Figure 41: ‘Boomer’ – 2m56s ............................................................................................................... 92
Figure 42: ‘Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered’ – 3m20s ................................................................ 92
Figure 43: ‘Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered’ – 3m49s ................................................................ 93
Figure 44: ‘River Man’- 3m15s ............................................................................................................ 93
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Figure 45: ‘Song-Song’ – 4m21s .......................................................................................................... 93
Figure 46: ‘Exit Music (For A Film)’ – 5m24s ..................................................................................... 94
Figure 48: ‘Dear Prudence’ – 3m13s .................................................................................................... 94
Figure 49: ‘She’s Leaving Home’ – 7m11s .......................................................................................... 95
Figure 50: ‘Lithium’ -3m34s ................................................................................................................. 96
Figure 51: ‘I'll Be Seeing You’- 2m36s ................................................................................................ 96
Figure 52: ‘Ode’ – 2m ........................................................................................................................... 97
Figure 53: ‘Ode’ – 2m37s ..................................................................................................................... 98
Figure 54: ‘Tres Palabras’ – 2m17s (see Table 14 for description of contrastive valence) ................ 102
Figure 55: ‘Sky Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith)’ – 2m20s (see Table 14 for description of
contrastive valence) ............................................................................................................................. 102
Figure 56: ‘The Nearness Of You’ – 3m07s (see Table 14 for description of contrastive valence)... 103
Figure 57: ‘Madrid’ – 1m32s (see Table 14 for description of contrastive valence) .......................... 104
Figure 58: ‘Someone To Watch Over Me’ – 6m02s (see Table 14 for description of contrastive
valence) ............................................................................................................................................... 104
Figure 59: ‘Elegy For William Burroughs And Allen Ginsberg’ – 3m (see Table 14 for description of
contrastive valence) ............................................................................................................................. 105
Figure 60: ‘Tres Palabras’ Transcription – page 1 .............................................................................. 111
Figure 61: ‘Tres Palabras’ Transcription – page 2 .............................................................................. 112
Figure 62: ‘Secret Beach’ Transcription – page 1............................................................................... 117
Figure 65: ‘Sky Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith)’ Transcription – page 1 ........................................ 121
Figure 68: ‘Blame It On My Youth’ – page 1 ..................................................................................... 127
Figure 71: ‘Highway Rider’ Transcription – page 1 ........................................................................... 132
Figure 75: ‘Anything Goes’ Transcription – page 1 ........................................................................... 138
Figure 79: ‘Elegy For William Burroughs And Allen Ginsberg’ Transcription – page 1 .................. 143
Figure 83: ‘When It Rains’ Transcription – page 1 ............................................................................ 149
Figure 87: ‘Ode’ – Transcription – page 1 .......................................................................................... 156
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Figure 93: ‘River Man’ – Transcription – page 1 ............................................................................... 164
Figure 100: ‘River Man’ – Transcription – page 8 ............................................................................. 171
Figure 101: ‘River Man’ – Transcription – page 9 ............................................................................. 172
Figure 102: ‘River Man’ – Transcription – page 10 ........................................................................... 173
Figure 106: Dissonant Single Notes and Dyads .................................................................................. 194
Figure 107: Diagonal Dissonance ....................................................................................................... 195
Figure 108: Vertical Hyper-Dissonance .............................................................................................. 195
Figure 109: Romantic Devices ............................................................................................................ 196
Figure 110: Dactylic Motif .................................................................................................................. 197
Figure 111: Chromaticism ................................................................................................................... 197
Figure 112: Perceptual Tonal Dissonance ........................................................................................... 199
Figure 113: Diminishing Dispersal ..................................................................................................... 200
Figure 114: Blues ................................................................................................................................ 204
Figure 115: Holistic Concept – Melody and Harmonic Vamp for Prepared Solo .............................. 208
Figure 116: Holistic Concept – page 1 ................................................................................................ 209
Figure 120: Vertical Dissonance – ‘Mayaguez’ – bars 33–40 ............................................................ 216
Figure 121: Vertical Dissonance – ‘Doris’ – bars 13–20 .................................................................... 216
Figure 122: Conjunct Melodicism/Romanticism – ‘Amelie’ – bars 1–8 ............................................ 217
Figure 123: Conjunct Melodicism/Romanticism – ‘21-12’ – bars 1–16 ............................................ 218
Figure 124: Motif – ‘San Juan’– bars 1–16......................................................................................... 219
Figure 125: Motif – ‘Chances Are’ – bars 9–28 ................................................................................. 219
Figure 126: Organic Consonance and Dissonance – ‘Doris’ – bars 5–21 .......................................... 221
Figure 127: Contrastive Valence – ‘La Romana’ – bars 9–29 ............................................................ 222
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List of Tables
Table 1: Album Summary ..................................................................................................................... 26
Table 2: Initial Selection ....................................................................................................................... 38
Table 3: 42 Selected Tracks .................................................................................................................. 40
Table 4: Initial Observations ................................................................................................................. 43
Table 5: Transcribed Solos .................................................................................................................... 44
Table 6: Some Transcribed Excerpts .................................................................................................... 45
Table 7: Case Studies ............................................................................................................................ 48
Table 8: Consonant and Dissonant Notes Found in Common Harmonic Sonorities ............................ 52
Table 9: Linear Tonality ........................................................................................................................ 66
Table 10: Vamps ................................................................................................................................... 84
Table 11: Major and Minor Blues Scales .............................................................................................. 87
Table 12: Quotations ............................................................................................................................. 88
Table 13: Stabs ...................................................................................................................................... 90
Table 14: Types of Contrastive Valence ............................................................................................. 100
Table 15: Problems and Concerning Classification of C/D ................................................................ 106
Table 16: C/D Analytical Acronyms ................................................................................................... 109
Table 17: C/D Relationships Grouped into Structural Hypermeter .................................................... 113
Table 18: Harmonic Destabilisation of bars 142–145 of ‘River Man’ ............................................... 182
Table 19: Consonance and Dissonance in River Man......................................................................... 183
Table 20: Case Studies ........................................................................................................................ 185
Table 21: Tritone Reharmonisation..................................................................................................... 187
Table 22: Summary of Salient Improvisational Attributes ................................................................. 188
Table 23: Linear Tonality .................................................................................................................... 198
Table 24: Harmonic Destabilisation – Static Chords .......................................................................... 202
Table 25: Harmonic Destabilisation – Chord Sequences .................................................................... 203
Table 26: Contrastive Valence ............................................................................................................ 206
Table 27: Harmonic Destabilisation of bars 32–33 of Holistic Concept ............................................ 215
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Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 1. Introduction
1.1. About the Researcher
Mark Baynes is a contemporary pianist, accompanist and composer, specialising in

improvised music including jazz. Mark has almost 20 years of experience as a professional
musician, during which he has enjoyed working with musicians including acclaimed
saxophonist Eric Marienthal (USA), trumpeter Clay Jenkins (USA), vocalist Tony Christie
(UK), New Zealand artists King Kapisi, Tim Beveridge, Anika Moa, Don McGlashan,
Batucada Sound Machine, and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
Mark has worked for 18 months in the Middle East as a musical director, and as a
pianist/musical director for ProShip (Canada) for two years. He has released two jazz albums
under the pseudonym of Ironic Trio (available on iTunes). As noted above, Mark has
collaborated with King Kapisi, contributing to Kapisi’s latest album release Hip Hop Lives
Here (due 2015) and co-wrote ‘Sunshine’, a soon to be released single/video. One of the
tracks on this album (‘Crush’) won the best video category at the Pacific Music Awards 2014.
Mark has also collaborated with Georgia Duder-Wood and Chris Neilson (Katchafire) to
produce and perform on a vocal album called Happenstance by the Standard Funk Ensemble
(of which he is a member). He has also worked with the Kid’s Music Company as musical
director and recorded three albums, two of which won gold and silver at the Practical Pre-
school Awards (UK), 2010–2011.
Mark currently teaches at Massey University in the New Zealand School of Music. Mark was
awarded the Ariadne Danilow Music Prize (Victoria University) and the Sir Alan Stewart
Postgraduate Scholarship (Massey University) in 2008, and the University of Auckland
Partnership Appeal Award in 2014, enabling him to pursue postgraduate qualifications. Mark
has studied under Gary Burton (USA) at the prestigious Berklee College of Music; he has
also studied under Andy Laverne (University of Hartford, NY) and Hal Galper (The New
School, NYC). He contributed to Downbeat magazine in 2011 with an article on the music of
Brad Mehldau.
15
1.2. Exegesis
This exegesis contains a detailed analysis of improvisation contained within the music of jazz
pianist Brad Mehldau by way of case studies comprising 10 solos and many extracts. It
defines and exemplifies a new approach to jazz analysis derived from holistic study of
consonance and dissonance (Parncutt & Hair, 2011), and research into perceived motivation
in music by cognitivists such as Huron (2006) and Meyer (1956).
There is a dearth of detailed analysis on the music of Mehldau, so the exegesis serves as a
unique contribution to a narrow subject, but also as an entrée to understanding the evolution
of jazz. It clearly demonstrates the musical tools that help Mehldau manipulate consonance
and dissonance in his music. The method of analysis found in this document is new to the
field of jazz; it is hoped that this original analytical model will spur further research into
process and perceived motivation for improvised music and/or composition. The exegesis
forms part of a Doctor of Music Arts degree; the information gleamed from the study on
Mehldau has informed a practice-directed research programme resulting in five recitals.
1.3. Chapter Outline
This document is divided into six chapters: Introduction, Background/Literature,

Methodology, Consonance and Dissonance, Case Studies, and Practice Directed Component;
the bulk of this study is contained within Chapters 4, 5 and 6.
Chapter 1 serves as an introduction to the exegesis.
Chapter 2 discusses Mehldau’s contribution to jazz, the need for this study, a brief
discography, a review of relevant literature, the limitations of the exegesis, and research
intentions.
Chapter 3 describes the research method, the selection process of representative works,
transcription method, analytical method, and practice-directed research.
Chapter 4 subdivides consonance and dissonance (hereafter often abbreviated to C/D) into
five categories: vertical, horizontal, rhythmic, organic, and cultural. These categories provide
the foundation of an analytical model used to examine perceived motivation in Mehldau’s
performances, creating improvisation that satisfies expectations as theorised by Meyer (1956)
and Huron (2006).
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Chapter 5 explores 10 piano solos as played by Brad Mehldau. Each case study consists of an
annotated transcription, and written observations/conclusions using an analytical model
defined in Chapter 4.
Chapter 6 is descriptive; it outlines my performance concept derived from the exegesis.
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18
Chapter 2 – Background/Literature
Chapter 2. Background/Literature
2.1. Who Is Brad Mehldau?
Bradford Alexander Mehldau (born August 23, 1970) is an American jazz pianist and
composer. Though Mehldau’s early training was primarily classical, his interest in jazz began
early on; he played in his high school jazz band and won the Berklee College ‘Best All-
Around Musician Award’ in his first year.
Mehldau started jazz study in 1998 at New York’s New School for Social Research under
Fred Hersch, Junior Mance, Kenny Werner, and Jimmy Cobb. Cobb soon hired him to play in
his band, Cobb’s Mob. Mehldau joined Joshua Redman’s quartet during the mid-nineties
recording albums such as Timeless Tales for Changing Times (Joshua Redman, 1998) and
Captured Live (Joshua Redman, 1994); the musical bond formed between Mehldau and
Redman is still strong today.
Mehldau formed a piano trio in 1994, recording his first album, Introducing Brad Mehldau
(Warner Bros.) in 1995. Mehldau has recorded a total of 13 albums (nine studio albums and
four live albums) as the Brad Mehldau Trio, currently consisting of Larry Grenadier (acoustic
bass) and Jeff Ballard (drums). Ballard replaced original stalwart drummer Jorge Rossy in
2005. Mehldau has recorded three solo piano albums and two ensemble albums, utilising
different combos including woodwind, pump organ, sax, electronica, orchestra and choral
ensemble.
Mehldau has collaborated with acclaimed producers such as Jon Brion and Matt Pierson but
has also produced many of his own albums. Mehldau has produced albums for other artists
such as Walking Shadows (Joshua Redman, 2013).
Mehldau has performed as a sideman (and/or collaborator) with internationally renowned

artists such as Mark Guiliana, Pat Metheny, Wayne Shorter, Joshua Redman, Lee Konitz,
Kevin Hays, Christian McBride, Michael Brecker, John Scofield, Peter Bernstein, Chris
Potter, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Brain Blade, classical vocalists Renée Fleming and Anne Sofie
von Otter, and singer-songwriters Elliott Smith, John Mayer and Chris Thile.
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2.2. What Is Mehldau’s Musical Contribution to Jazz Music?
The acclaimed jazz author Ted Gioia (2007, n.p.) provides four reasons why Mehldau has
had such a significant impact as a pianist: (1) his redefinition of left and right hands, (2) his
expansion of trio repertoire, (3) his rhythmic phrasing, and (4) his freedom from cliché.
Using Gioia’s observations as a springboard for further discussion, I explore Mehldau’s
contribution to jazz music in more detail below.
2.2.1. Redefinition of Left and Right Hands
Although occasionally evident in jazz piano prior to Mehldau (e.g. Art Tatum/Lennie
Tristano), devices such as counterpoint and multiple layers were rarely employed by jazz
pianists. Framed within the milleu of modern post-bop Jazz piano, Mehldau has explored the
creative boundaries of contrapuntal and multilayered improvisation.
Mehldau reflects: ‘Playing different lines in each hand is something I’ve done for a long
time… I love Brahms’ piano music where there’s all this melodic activity in the bass. And
Art Tatum is huge for me, because he does things with his thumbs and little fingers to
generate more melody… Having each hand play independently stems from the desire to hear
more melody in the lower register. It’s more expressive in some ways to hear the tune down
there. It’s more touching because you don’t expect it’ (quoted in Himes, 2011, p. 45).
Mehldau often improvises using two concurrent melodic lines, or uses an ostinato comping
style, and sometimes places improvisational lines in unexpected areas of the piano.
2.2.2. Expansion of Trio Repertoire
Mehldau’s aspirations towards originality in jazz have led him to draw inspiration from a
diverse selection of sources, and he has gained acclaim for fusing styles in his performances.
Confirmation of his stylistic influences is not a difficult task. Even if there is doubt after
active listening to Mehldau’s oeuvre, his classical stylistic bent is well documented by critics,
scholars, and Mehldau himself: ‘I draw on a lot of classical music, pop and rock music, music
from Brazil, and other stuff. I listen to it for pleasure and enjoyment, and then a lot of it filters
out in my playing. With classical music, there’s a written canon there – you can study those
scores. There’s a good three centuries of stuff to check out – it’s endless. Ultimately I think
of myself as an improvising jazz musician at the end of the day, and one of my talents I guess
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is assimilating all of that written stuff and making it part of what I do’ (quoted in Vella, 2011,
n.p.).
Mehldau regularly plays music by pop artists such as Lennon/McCartney, Radiohead, Nick
Drake, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, and Paul Simon, interpreting their music to suit his own
needs. It is perhaps the regularity with which Mehldau fuses post-1960 pop tunes into his
music that is his contribution to expansion of the trio repertoire to which Gioia refers.
Mehldau has stated, ‘Playing pop tunes just seemed a no-brainer to me… I never thought of it
as particularly weird; I had Blue Note records where Lee Morgan played Beatles tunes. It had
something to do with me living in L.A. from 1996 to 2001, because that’s when I started
recording with the trio and started playing those songs by Radiohead and Nick Drake’
(quoted in Himes, p. 47).
2.2.3. Rhythmic Phrasing
Comprehension of rhythmical devices is assisted by dividing rhythm into two categories: (1)
micro rhythm concerned with tactus placement and meter, and (2) macro rhythm, describing
expressive variation in relation to the tactus.
2.2.3.1. Micro Rhythm
For Gioia (2007), ‘Mehldau’s trio has set up its own rules… working its rhythmic
reconfigurations at a very high level of virtuosity. It is especially exhilarating to hear them
floating over the ground rhythm in odd time meters, all the while maintaining a high level of
interactivity and variety in their playing’. Mehldau regularly uses tactus-affirming or tactus-
challenging rhythmic devices that are either consonant or dissonant to the underlying
structure (see Chapter 4 for definitions and examples).
2.2.3.2. Macro Rhythm
In ‘A Fireside Chat with Brad Mehldau’ (AAJ Staff, 2004, n.p.), Mehldau (2004) reflects, ‘I
get a lot from vocalists that I love – Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Frank Sinatra – the
way they phrase the melody. Often the mere attempt to make the piano phrase like a human
voice can point you in an expressive direction: the impossibility of achieving vocal effects on
the piano – a long sustain, vibrato, and the like – is a given, but if you have that as an ideal,
you can communicate a certain longing in your phrasing’. Mehldau has a masterful control of
time, which he uses to manipulate consonance and dissonance on a macro level.
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2.2.4. Freedom from Cliché
Brad Mehldau is considered by many to be one of the most significant figures in modern jazz
piano. Pat Metheny described him as ‘the ultimate manifestation of a kind of player who
performs in such a unique way that if he didn’t play like that then he would die’ (Metheny,
quoted in Andersen, 2003). Mehldau’s refusal to adhere to certain stylistic norms found
within the jazz tradition has led him in an original direction. His style is a direct reflection
and culmination of a diverse selection of autodidactically absorbed music; his influences are
broader than jazz and consequently his originality incontrovertible. Mehldau is an intelligent
improviser, crafting solos using tools such as melodic cells, motif, romanticism, blues, and
jazz formula. Mehldau employs such a wide musical palette that special consideration is
needed to analytically understand it. Analysis of his manipulation of consonance and
dissonance, as performed by this exegesis, has proven effective in providing an understanding
of Mehldau’s music.
2.3. Why Study Mehldau?
Primary motivations for this in-depth study into the music of Brad Mehldau are:
1. Mehldau’s music represents an original voice in improvised music; an in-depth case

study of his work is crucial for gaining an understanding of one primary direction that
the culture of improvised music is moving in.
2. On a personal note, Brad Mehldau has been the primary source of inspiration for my
own pianistic studies and jazz development for over 10 years; I have a huge amount
of respect for him and regularly enjoy a connection to his music. I believe that
Mehldau continually sustains the highest level of integrity as a musician; whether he
is playing improvised or through-composed music in any ensemble setting that he
chooses, he always seems to remain acutely focused on excellence at all times.
2.4. Annotated Discography
2.4.1. Mehldau, B. (1995). Introducing Brad Mehldau/The Brad Mehldau Trio.
Introducing Brad Mehldau is Mehldau’s debut album and contains a mixture of standards and
compositions. The album demonstrates Mehldau’s virtuosic piano skills and includes many clichés
common to the jazz tradition. This album uses two different sets of players, the first half using
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Mehldau’s original stalwart rhythm section of Larry Grenadier (bass) and Jorge Rossy (drums) and
the second using Brian Blade (drums) and Christian McBride (bass).
2.4.2. Mehldau, B. (1997). The Art of the Trio. Volume One/The Brad Mehldau
Trio.
The Art of the Trio [hereafter referred to as AOT] Volume One is Mehldau’s second studio
album and first release of the AOT series. This album also contains an even mix between
standards and original material, and an arrangement of Lennon and McCartney’s pop classic
‘Blackbird’. This album shows the development of a musical kinship between members of
the trio; Mehldau also demonstrates the beginnings of his approach to motif exploration and
development. As in Introducing Brad Mehldau, Mehldau still plays many clichés.
2.4.3. Mehldau, B. (1998). The Art of the Trio. Volume Two/The Brad Mehldau
Trio.
AOT2 is a live album of standards recorded at the Village Vanguard. It solidifies Mehldau’s
full commitment to motivic development. Mehldau’s idiosyncrasies are prevalent, and there
are fewer clichés. Mehldau experiments with a more adventurous left hand.
2.4.4. Mehldau, B. (1998). The Art of the Trio. Volume Three/The Brad Mehldau
Trio.
AOT3 is a studio album consisting of five original compositions, three standards, and two pop
interpretations. ‘Unrequited’ and ‘Sehnsucht’ are important ‘classical-sounding’ works as
both employ a form of harmonic framework focused on voice leading and cyclical harmonic
movement. AOT3 contains the first adaptation of ‘River Man’ (Nick Drake), and ‘Exit Music
(For A Film)’ (Radiohead), both of which are considered to be seminal works.
2.4.5. Mehldau, B. (1999). Elegiac Cycle/Brad Mehldau Solo Piano.
Elegiac Cycle is Mehldau’s first solo piano album, comprised entirely of his own
compositions. It is a concept album with a morose theme. Elegiac Cycle contains textural
variety, multi-part playing, and is a good example of third-stream music, fusing elements
found in both classical and jazz. An example of this is ‘Trailer Park Ghost’, where Mehldau
changes texture many times, often throwing in boogie and blues ideas among counterpoint.
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2.4.6. Mehldau, B. (1999). The Art of the Trio. Volume Four/The Brad Mehldau
Trio.
AOT4 was recorded live at the Village Vanguard and is arguably the first live album to
successfully capture the full power of the Mehldau trio in a live setting. ‘Exit Music (For A
Film)’ here is the quintessential example of motivic development; the solo from 2m30s–
4m30s is based on just one idea. It also serves as an excellent example of Mehldau’s ability to
‘build then sustain’ the intensity of his solo.
2.4.7. Mehldau, B. (2000). Places/The Brad Mehldau Trio.
Places is a unique studio album in that half of the album is solo piano and half is trio. Places
consists of compositions that were inspired by, written on, and titled by, locations. ‘29 Palms’
is an example of how Mehldau develops his improvisation over static chord changes.
2.4.8. Mehldau, B. (2001). The Art of the Trio. Volume Five/The Brad Mehldau
Trio.
AOT5 is the last in series and sees the trio demonstrating intuitive musical interplay that
modulates between meters with absolute ease and musical coherence. It is a double album,
mainly consisting of standards, with four compositions and another (far superior) version of
Nick Drake’s ‘River Man’. ‘River Man’ is the quintessential example of the build-then-
sustain improvisational approach.
2.4.9. Mehldau, B. (2002). Largo/Brad Mehldau.
In this experiment in jazz electronica, rock producer Jon Brion helps Mehldau move away
from a traditional acoustic setting, employing devices such as prepared piano, timbral variety,
unorthodox microphone placement, and rhythm section doubling. The improvisation heard on
Largo is often single-line, arguably due to the harmonic space that the other parts occupy.
2.4.10. Mehldau, B. (2004). Anything Goes/The Brad Mehldau Trio.
Anything Goes was recorded in 2002 during the same session as House on Hill (Mehldau,
2006, p. 5). These two albums are Mehldau’s last recordings with drummer Jorge Rossy.
Improvisational content for the whole album is understated, but ‘Anything Goes’ and ‘Tres
Palabras’ are excellent examples.
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2.4.11. Mehldau, B. (2004). Live in Tokyo/Brad Mehldau Solo Piano.
A mixture of pop works and standards, Live in Tokyo is Mehldau’s first live solo album.
Mehldau uses stride (‘How Long Has This Been Going On’ [Gershwin, 1928]), multi-part
playing (‘Things Behind The Sun’ [Drake, 1972] and ‘Intro’ [Mehldau, 2004]), voicings
found in classical music (‘Someone to Watch Over Me’ [Gershwin, 1926]), and creates
themes derived from constant repetition/development (‘Paranoid Android’
[Yorke/O’Brien/Greenwood/Greenwood/Selway, 1997]).
2.4.12. Mehldau, B. (2005). Day Is Done/The Brad Mehldau Trio.
Drummer Jeff Ballard joins bassist Larry Grenadier to form the rhythm section of the ‘new’
Brad Mehldau Trio. Day Is Done includes arrangements of pop tunes by composers such as
Lennon and McCartney, Nick Drake, Radiohead and Paul Simon.
2.4.13. Mehldau, B. (2006). House on Hill/The Brad Mehldau Trio.
Comprising solely original material, House on Hill shares the unhurried flavour of Anything
Goes (not surprisingly as it was mainly recorded during the same session in 2002). ‘August
Ending’ and ‘Fear and Trembling’ were recorded three years later. House on Hill is a mature
album, the improvisation arguably the most well-conceived and developed of all his albums
to date. It contains plenty of motivic exploration, ‘interesting’ lines, and contrapuntal
accompaniment.
2.4.14. Mehldau, B. (2008). Brad Mehldau Trio Live/The Brad Mehldau Trio.
This is Mehldau’s most recent live trio album release, recorded at the Village Vanguard in
2006; it contains seminal performances of ‘Wonderwall’ (Oasis, 1995), ‘Black Hole Sun’
(Soundgarden, 1994), and ‘Secret Beach’ (Mehldau, 2007).
2.4.15. Mehldau, B. (2010). Highway Rider/Brad Mehldau.
Highway Rider is Mehldau’s second collaboration with producer Jon Brion and shares
timbral similarities with Largo, but with orchestral ensembles replacing electronica.
Saxophonist Joshua Redman features throughout the album. Many tracks are through-
composed. As is often the case with Mehldau’s groove-based solos, instruments other than
the piano play a harmonic role, negating the prominence of Mehldau’s otherwise active left
hand.
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2.4.16. Mehldau, B. (2011). Live in Marciac/Brad Mehldau Solo Piano.
Live in Marciac is Mehldau’s most recent solo piano release, which won critical acclaim in
Downbeat and Jazztimes. Mehldau describes the album as ‘the beginning of a freer approach,
I would say, and maybe more ease and fluidity in a musical texture with several simultaneous
voices. It is the most related to where I am now as a solo player’ (quoted in Vella, 2011, n.p.).
2.4.17. Album Summary
Table 1 shows a summary of Mehldau’s annotated discography.

Table 1: Album Summary
Album Name Comments

Introducing Brad Mehldau Displays Mehldau’s virtuosic piano
ability with many clichés.
AOT1 Introduces his first pop interpretation and
hints at a motivically driven
improvisational concept; still contains
many clichés.
AOT2 First live album; solidifies Mehldau’s
commitment to motivic development;
contains a more prevalent left hand and
multi-part solo piano concept.
AOT3 Complex cyclical compositions with
fusion of classical and pop styles.
Elegiac Cycle First solo piano album; first album
containing only compositions; first
concept album; fuses elements of jazz
and classical traditions.
AOT4 Bigger solos reaching sustained levels of
intensity.
Places First composition-only album featuring
the trio; second concept album; only
album with even solo piano/trio split.
AOT5 High degree of stylistic maturity and
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depth; intuitive musical interplay;

musical connectivity; like AOT4 in terms
of build-then-sustain improvisation.
Largo First album containing electronica and
larger ensembles; motivic presence and
strong linear content.
Anything Goes Understated improvisational content;
solid examples of thematic improvisation.
Live in Tokyo First live solo album
Day Is Done Jeff Ballard joins trio; sound arguably

more groove-based.
House on Hill Unhurried and reflective flavour,
improvisation very well conceived and
developed; a cerebral album with strong
classical links.
Live Latest live trio album.
Highway Rider Strong links to Largo but with a less

electronic and more orchestral feel; often
through-composed, similar single-line
solos, elements of solos also linked to
Largo.
Live in Marciac Latest live solo album, more
simultaneous voices, greater ease and
fluidity.
2.5. Analysis of the Music of Brad Mehldau
In Issues in the Analysis of Improvisation: A Structuralist Approach to the Work of Brad

Mehldau (2005), Wood reminds us that normative methods of jazz analysis are inadequate in
their ability to provide information regarding motif, rhythm, and thematic development.
Wood cites Mark Levine’s popular book The Jazz Theory Book (Levine, 1995) as a
representation of educational material containing analytical biases towards harmony and
27
chord-scale relationships. Wood highlights devices such as motif, melodic fragments,

repetition, range and rhythm in Mehldau’s improvisations via transcription. His research
outlines the need for analysis that incorporates the entire gamut of improvisational devices
that Mehldau has in his employ.
In Motivic Strategies in Improvisations by Keith Jarrett and Brad Mehldau, Page (2009)
examines Ekkehard Jost’s concept of Motivic Chain Association (MCA), a broad concept
that encompasses audible motivic relatedness between elements of a melodic line. Page
explores different types of MCA (e.g. pitch, rhythm, contour) and explains that Mehldau’s
use of motivic development is used as a musical ‘glue’, joining passages of improvisation
together.
More recently, Reconstructing Tonal Principles in the Music of Brad Mehldau (Arthurs,
2011) examines several performances from AOT3, using Schenkerian analytical methods.
Arthurs argues that some of Mehldau’s music requires classical analysis, which distinguishes
his music from mainstream jazz.
Wood, Page and Arthurs all recognise the need to analyse Mehldau’s music using tools
borrowed from other disciplines. However, Mehldau also adheres to some harmonic and
melodic concepts that are commonplace in mainstream jazz. In Brad Mehldau’s Piano Solo
on “Sky Turning Grey” (Baynes, 2012, p. 80), I explored Mehldau’s use of devices including
sideslipping, chromaticism, blues, and polyrhythm. To avoid throwing out the analytical baby
with the bathwater, a multidisciplinary analytical approach is clearly paramount for a
thorough understanding of Mehldau’s music.
Due to a lack of an existing multidisciplinary analytical framework merging analytical tools

found within both jazz and classical traditions, I have devised a new model. This model
incorporates elements of consonance and dissonance as defined in Consonance and
Dissonance in Music Theory and Psychology: Disentangling Dissonant Dichotomies
(Parncutt & Hair, 2011). It also draws from discourse on rhythmic C/D in Expressive
Asynchrony and Meter: A Study of Dispersal, Downbeat Space, and Metric Drift (Yorgason,
2009), and Metric Dissonance and Hypermeter in the Chamber Music of Gabriel Fauré
(Vonfoerster, 2012). This model of C/D is presented in Chapter 2.6.
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2.6. Model of Consonance and Dissonance
‘There is surely nothing in the language of discourse about music that is more burdened with
purely semantic problems than are the terms consonance and dissonance’ (Tenny, 1988, p.
1). From a historical standpoint, three scholarly disciplines have been responsible for most of
the theories of C/D to date (musicology, science and psychology), and treatments of C/D can
be traced back to the Pythagorean era. Musicologists, scientists and psychologists have
described C/D using terminology suitable to their field, and consequently it is often difficult
to ascertain standard definitions. The main theories can be broadly separated into two camps:
natural and cultural. Natural theories on C/D include acoustic and psychophysical sonorities
based on Pythagorean law, the harmonic series, and localised vertical sonorities between two
or more pitches. Natural dissonances are also described as sensory dissonances in Sweet
Anticipation: Music and the Psychology of Expectation (Huron, 2006, p. 311). Cultural
theories of C/D are based on learnt cultural experiences and cognitive processes including
temporal relationships on a horizontal level (Parncutt & Hair, 2011, p. 119). Cultural
dissonances are defined by Huron (2006) as tension dissonances, and relate to perception of
tension and resolution from study of recordings and scores from a horizontal or temporal
perspective. For the purposes of this exegesis and in accordance with definitions by Parncutt
and Hair (see Chapters 4.2 and 4.3), cultural and tension dissonances will be described as
horizontal, and sensory and natural dissonances will be described as vertical.
With the plethora of terms associated with C/D (such as tension and relaxation, stable and
unstable, nature and culture, sensory and cultural, bottom-up and top-down, implied and
realised, rough and smooth), it is easy to understand the semantic problems that Tenny (1988)
refers to above. In a traditional sense dissonance is related to an individual sonority
containing two or more pitches; however, this exegesis explores the possibility that the terms
consonance and dissonance can be used to describe a bigger picture, a larger perspective
including everything from small units, to phrases, entire pieces, and even styles relating to the
musical tendencies of an individual performer or group of performers. It seems to be tacitly
understood by many that the underlying principle of tonal music is derived from harmonic
motion, in particular the tonic-dominant-tonic relationship. By considering tonic to be
consonance and dominant to be dissonance it is possible to view most tonal music as
following a consonance-dissonance-consonance, or relaxed-tense-relaxed schematic norm;
this is the foundational premise on which this exegesis builds its analytical model.
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So if C/D relationships are commonly associated with harmonic (and via inference melodic)
events as suggested by most Western music theorists (e.g. Kamien, 2011), then logic dictates
that investigation of other fundamental aspects of music such as rhythm, form and style is
also necessary. Consequently, this exegesis investigates rhythmical C/D as demonstrated by
Vonfoerster (2012) and Yorgason (2009). Parncutt and Hair (2011) remind us that other,
perhaps more figurative definitions of C/D require further study. This exegesis not only
considers aspects of C/D pertaining to harmony, melody and rhythm, but also includes other
C/D events that occur on a spatiotemporal plane such as form and culture.
For this reason I have divided discussion on C/D into (1) individual sonorities (sensory or
natural C/D), (2) harmony, (3) melody, (4) rhythm, (5) form, and (6) culture.
In accordance with my proposed analytical model, a holistic C/D framework has been
adapted from Parncutt and Hair (2011), which broadly alludes to a
vertical/horizontal/rhythmic/organic/cultural model, allowing for discussion of complex C/D
relationships. A detailed description of all elements of C/D discussed in this exegesis can be
found in Chapter 4.
In addition, my enquiry into Brad Mehldau’s music has led me to ask questions including:
Why does Mehldau use motif and melody? What is the purpose of musical climax? Finding
answers for why events happen in the order they happen in Mehldau’s music has helped me
to devise heuristic improvisational tools. In the process I have drawn on insights from the
relatively new field of cognition, in particular the work of Huron (2006).
2.7. Music and the Psychology of Expectation: Huron
Understanding Mehldau’s manipulation of C/D has required (1) an understanding of

cognitive processes derived from enculturation to Western tonal musical principles, (2)
biological impulses inherent to human nature, and (3) how these relate to musical perception
on both small and large scales. Huron (2006) divides cognitive processes relevant to this
study into prediction response/effect, reaction response, appraisal response, and contrastive
valence/limbic contrast. Huron’s theory governing expectation is called ITPRA; a summary
of ITPRA and relevent aspects pertaining to this thesis are explained below in turn.
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2.7.1. ITPRA
ITPRA is a theory of expectation developed in David Huron’s 2006 book Sweet

Anticipation, Music and the Psychology of Expectation. ITPRA is grouped into pre-outcome
and post-outcome phases based on psychological responses to expectation arguably governed
by complex biological systems. ITPRA is an acronym for Imagination, Tension, Prediction,
Reaction and Appraisal, where IT (imagination and tension) are pre-epoche events and PRA
(prediction, reaction, and appraisal) are post-epoche. ITPRA theory can be used to describe
many events but is particularly suited to the performing arts where expectation helps to shape
emotional experiences (p. 356).
2.7.2. Imagination Response and Tension Response
Imagination response is the first emotional state that occurs pre-epoche, followed by tension
repsonse. Huron argues that the imagination response stage aids motivation for an event, and
the tension response stage builds arousal and helps prearedness for an event. In this exegesis
my primary concern is for post-epoche events (PRA) that help govern the effect that music
has on a listener; arguably, anyone actively listening to music would normally have already
experienced the pre-epoche part of ITPRA.
2.7.3. Prediction Response/Effect
Huron (2006) argues that by creating highly predictable music a performer can evoke a
positive emotional state or valence. Repetition of an event results in high predictability; this
predictability is rewarded by our biological system and we feel a positive valence.
Interestingly, Huron incorporates the psychological tendency of misattribution to the
prediction response creating the prediction effect, stating that the limbic reward from
successful predictability is misattributed to the music itself; in other words, Huron argues that
recognition of repetition in music makes us feel like the event itself is providing positive or
negative valence (p. 141). It is not difficult to understand this principle as arguably it is used
as a basis for creating popular music; repeat a pop song enough times on the radio and people
will start to like it! Predictive qualities of improvisational music are therefore of paramount
importance in aiding emotional responses in music.
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2.7.4. Reaction Response and Appraisal Response
Huron (2006) writes that ‘when a stimulus appears, a “quick and dirty” response is evoked.
This reaction response is defensive in function. At the same time, a slower process of
cognitive evaluation is initiated that takes into account complex social and situational factors.
This appraisal response is able to inhibit or facilitate the initial reaction response, or evoke a
wholly different response… The distinction between fast and slow response reflects the
neurological embodiment of two usually contradictory goals: (1) the needs to respond as
quickly as possible to dangerous circumstances, and (2) the need to judge as accurately as
possible the value of some event or situation’ (p. 358). Knowledge of the reaction response
can be seen as the primary motivator in creating musical surprise, a musical event that
violates expectation on an organic or cultural level. In addition, Huron reminds us that ‘for a
fast reaction response to remain effective in dealing with danger, it must be protected from
habituation or unlearning. Reaction responses must be evoked reliably, even when there is an
overwhelming history of false alarms’ (p. 359).
Even after repeated listening, a work can still provoke surprise in the listener. Huron (2006)
reminds us that on a biological level, surprise in itself is never initially a good thing: ‘the
rapid response to surprise assumes the worst… our physiological reflexes reveal that biology
is deeply suspicious and pessimistic: bodies don’t like surprises’ (p. 21). In contrast, the
appraisal response is slower and is aimed at gauging accurate assessments of the event. In
music, surprise can be a way to evoke arousal and attention towards a particular musical
event (from a hard-wired biological reflex). Huron states that surprise acts as an emotional
amplifier (p. 39), as the initial reaction response providing musical focus from which the
appraisal response can derive valence.
2.7.5. Contrastive Valence/Limbic Contrast
‘I have noted that there are different expressions of surprise and that these expressions echo
the primordial behaviours of fight, flight and freeze. Musical surprises are capable of
initiating these responses, but the responses themselves are short-lived because an ensuing
appraisal ultimately judges the stimuli as nonthreatening… Instead, the listener is left with a
corresponding response of frisson, laughter, or awe… the pleasure associated with these
responses arises from limbic contrast – a phenomenon I’ve called contrastive valence.
Pleasure is increased when a positive response follows a negative response. While surprise is
32
biologically bad, surprise nevertheless plays a pivotal role in human emotional experience’
(Huron, 2006, p. 39).
For the purposes of this exegesis the most important aspect of Huron’s term ‘contrastive
valence’ is the element of surprise, which acts as an emotional amplifier. Chapters 4 and 5
will demonstrate contrastive valence on both small and large scales. Holistically, contrastive
valence is everywhere. A listener encultured to Western tonal music learns that a home-away-
home paradigm exists: a tonality is heard (tonic/home); then an event happens that creates a
desire to return to that feeling (dominant/away); and a sense of release is experienced when
that sonority moves back to the tonic (home).
2.7.6. PRA
Huron (2006) states that ‘not all repetitions lead to the prediction effect, and not all violations
of expectation lead to contrastive valence. Repetition can lead to (unconscious) habituation
and to (conscious) boredom. Violations of expectation can lead to irritation and annoyance’
(p. 365). Huron’s enquiry into music and cognition serves to inform creative practice. As
with any musical tool, overuse can lead to saturation.
These caveats notwithstanding and all things being equal, one can conclude that music that
evokes a positive limbic affect either through prediction response and/or contrastive valence
is generally a good thing. Huron’s theory of PRA (the post-event epoch of ITPRA theory),
states that complex levels of valence (often contrastive) make up most musical experiences;
so combining elements that create valence through predictability AND contrastive valence
through reaction and appraisal is generally considered a good thing.
2.8. Limitations of Exegesis
Perhaps the biggest limitation of a study that attempts to define any elements found in music
is that of semantics. In Jazz in the Present Tense (DVD), Jazz guitarist Bill Frisell reminds
us, ‘I just don’t like it when the name of something has the effect of excluding something, if
you say it’s one thing then it can’t be something else, that doesn’t work for me, because I
mean the words are always smaller than whatever it is you are trying to describe, and for me
jazz is like infinite’ (quoted in Comerford, Rivoira, Larsdon, & Vogt, 2010). Problems arise
when attempting to define such a diverse genre as jazz, or (in the case of this exegesis) an
artist’s style within the subculture of improvised music in general, due to the reductive nature
33
of the process involved. Jazz trumpeter Nicolas Payton argues, ‘I think the problem is once
jazz became a thing, it seemed to take on a persona that became less and less of what it
actually was. Everything has the same nature, everything has the same core essence, tap in to
that, and the world becomes a different place’ (quoted in Comerford et al., 2010).
Nevertheless, there is a need for scholarly analysis of musical performance, especially when
used in conjunction with practical, rote-based methods of musical research. Perhaps a
fundamental limitation of this exegesis is that it has been designed to be self-serving to the
author in terms of direction, content and duration; this exegesis is a study primarily aimed at
assisting the researcher to explore his own pianistic artistry. But this is not to say that the
content won’t be valuable to other researchers.
Having noted that the epistemological and ontological assumptions of the researcher contain
a strong performance bias, it is necessary to state the secondary limitations of this study,
which include:
1. Transcriptions of Mehldau’s playing are primarily (but not totally) concerned with
Mehldau’s improvisational lines; harmonic exploration, although addressed to some
degree (occasionally in detail), is not the primary focus of this work.
2. The method of analysis formalised by the researcher is also self-serving, as analysis in

general is not an absolute phenomena; in other words, different methods of analysis
exist to explore different aspects of music, and the method defined in Chapter 4 has
been designed to explore the complex array of C/D found in the music of Mehldau.
Even though this document is thorough, it cannot be concluded that any analysis
contained within the case studies is complete. Even if it was possible to completely
and wholly analyse a work, the analysis serves and informs the performance and not
vice versa. Information gleamed from analysis and study of cognitive processes
should not be misconstrued as the only source for creative goals exemplified in the
five recitals required by the Doctor of Musical Arts.
3. The primary focus of this work is on the piano performances of Brad Mehldau.
Mehldau often plays in a trio setting so it is tacitly assumed that, due to the nature of
any collective improvisational environment, interactions in real time between
Mehldau, Larry Grenadier (bass) and Jeff Ballard (drums) are a continual
34
phenomenon. This exegesis is not primarily concerned with interaction between piano
and bass/drums; it is interested in the content of Mehldau’s piano playing.
2.9. Research Intentions
The primary research intention is to explore, as objectively as possible, aspects regarding the
music of Brad Mehldau that are of particular interest to the researcher; these interests have
over time developed into what is described informally (by most) and formally (by some) as
consonance and dissonance (or tension/release, stable/unstable, home/away) found in
Western music as a whole. Levine (1995) states, ‘Dissonance makes music interesting,
providing tension, resolution, and energy. The creative use of dissonance might be a good
way to describe the entire evolution of Western music’ (p. 38). Huron (2006) posits that ‘we
might use a broader notion of dissonance to refer to both static and dynamic feelings of
uneasiness’ (p. 311).
Another research intention (via practice-directed research) is the rote-based internalisation

and development of academic findings on a practical level. This autodidactic study contains
both investigation (by way of this exegesis) and performance (by way of five recitals).
Finally, the method of analysis detailed in this exegesis has been developed as a result of the
dearth of analytical tools equipped to deal with C/D in music. Consequently the final
intention of this exegesis is to demonstrate an analytical model that exemplifies C/D
relationships on a holistic level, and knowledge pertaining to perceived motivation behind
these C/D relationships.
35
36
Chapter 3 - Methodology
Chapter 3. Methodology
3.1. Introduction
This exegesis is part of a Doctor of Musical Arts degree and is primarily performance-driven
(based on a 70/30 percent performance/exegesis weighting). The methodology has been
designed to support the performance, represented by five recitals performed over a period of
four years. This chapter outlines my research process and is divided into six sections:
introduction, theory, selection process, analytical research, analytical trial, and practice-
directed component.
3.2. Theory
The methodology employed in this exegesis draws largely from quantitative analysis of
musical text via transcription. The selection process was partially phenomenologically driven,
where my lived experience (Creswell, 1998) of the music aided selection. While maintaining
a reflective stance, I was able to derive the essence of Mehldau’s music by selecting a
suitable cross-section to analyse, using quantitative methods. In A Phenomenological
Approach to Contemporary Music Performance, Esler (2007) ‘poses a performer-centric,
phenomenological model. In this model the Self is the primary focus’ (p. x). I used a
performer-centric phenomenological model as a selection tool (see Chapter 3.3). Practice-
directed research was a suitable way of realising the research in a practical manner. This
method is fully explored in Through the Eye of a Needle: The Emergence of a Practice-led
Research Doctorate in Music (Draper & Harrison, 2011). The triangulation resulting from
analysis, phenomenological self-reflection, and practice-directed research ensured a robust
methodology for this research.
3.3. Selection Process
3.3.1. Initial Selection
It was first necessary to select a cross-section of Mehldau’s musical output. I selected 16

albums that were chosen based on the following criteria:
37
1. Physical releases only

2. USA releases only
3. No collaborative projects
4. No compilations
5. No promotional CDs
6. No ‘sideman’ projects
7. No through-composed albums (e.g. Mehldau’s operatic work)
8. Official releases only (no bootlegs, e.g. Live at the Stockholm Concert House)
9. Audio-only releases (no DVDs)
This broad cross-section of music spans 16 years, from 1995 to 2011 and contains all of
Mehldau’s trio, solo and ensemble projects during that time (see Table 2).
Table 2: Initial Selection
Album Format Live/Studio Release Date

Introducing Brad Mehldau Trio Studio 1995
AOT1 Trio Studio 1996

AOT2 Trio Live 1998
AOT3 Trio Studio 1998
Elegiac Cycle Solo Studio 1999
AOT4 Trio Live 1999

Places Trio/Solo Studio 2000
AOT5 Trio Live 2001

Largo Ensemble Studio 2002
Anything Goes Trio Studio 2004
Live in Tokyo Solo Live 2004
Day Is Done Trio Studio 2005
House on Hill Trio Studio 2006
Live Trio Live 2008
38
Highway Rider Ensemble Studio 2010
Live in Marciac Solo Live 2011
3.3.2. Primary Listen
I conducted a primary listen of the 16 albums, making initial improvisational notes as well as
documenting track specifics such as album, title, composer, length, meter, key, tempo,
category, feel, players, intro, outro, trades, solos and improvisational idiosyncrasies. I
recorded large amounts of this data in a spreadsheet. To effectively read this data I suggest
downloading the spreadsheet and viewing on a monitor. To download the completed
spreadsheet document containing these observations please visit
http://www.jazzpiano.co.nz/download/BMD.xlsx
The purpose of making detailed notes in this manner was to make the listening process an
active one. Documenting the audio material in a spreadsheet achieved formality and provided
a focus for my listening (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: Track Specifics and Improvisational Notes
39
3.3.3. Secondary Listen
I conducted a secondary listen of all 16 albums, reducing the 167 recordings down to a more
manageable collection of 42 tracks based on their perceived improvisational quality (see
Table 3).
Table 3: 42 Selected Tracks
Track Name Album

It Might As Well Be Spring Introducing Brad Mehldau
Blame It On My Youth AOT1

I Didn’t Know What Time It Was AOT1
Blackbird AOT1
Lament For Linus AOT1
Nobody Else But Me AOT1
It's Alright With Me AOT2
Monk's Dream AOT2
The Way You Look Tonight AOT2
Unrequited AOT3
Resignation Elegiac Cycle
Elegy For William Burroughs And Allen Elegiac Cycle

Ginsberg
All The Things You Are AOT4
Solar AOT4
I'll Be Seeing You AOT4
Exit Music (For A Film) AOT4
29 Palms Places
Cry Me A River AOT5

River Man AOT5
How Long Has This Been Going On AOT5
When It Rains Largo
Dusty McNugget Largo
40
Paranoid Android Largo
Anything Goes Anything Goes
The Nearness Of You Anything Goes
Smile Anything Goes
Things Behind The Sun Live in Tokyo
Someone To Watch Over Me Live in Tokyo
How Long Has This Been Going On Live in Tokyo
Knives Out Day Is Done
No Moon At All Day Is Done
Happy Tune House on Hill
B-Flat Waltz Brad Mehldau Trio Live
Secret Beach Brad Mehldau Trio Live
More Than You Know Brad Mehldau Trio Live
Highway Rider Highway Rider
The Falcon Will Fly Again Highway Rider
Sky Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith) Highway Rider
It's All Right With Me Live in Marciac
Secret Love Live in Marciac
Resignation Live in Marciac
Dat Dere Live in Marciac
41
Using my initial notes recorded in step one, I established a list of stylistic elements often
found in Mehldau’s playing. These elements included (but were not limited to) linear
comping, ostinato comping, use of pedal, reharmonisation, melodic quotes in solo, melodic
development in solo, quotes, metric modulation, repeated motif, ‘classical’ influences, gospel
influences, blues influences, ‘Monk’ influences, pentatonics, bebop, and chromaticism. These
were idiosyncrasies that I heard in Mehldau’s playing during the active listening process.
3.3.4. Third Listen
I conducted a third listen to all 16 albums documenting where these new stylistic elements
occurred; I also made further observational notes (see Figure 2).
Figure 2: Location of Stylistic Elements
3.3.5. Initial Observations
I investigated links between the 42 shortlisted tracks and my spreadsheet catalogue. I wanted
to find out if it was possible to outline in detail what made Mehldau’s playing on the shortlist
so appealing to me. Below are some of the conclusions that were drawn from the spreadsheet;
they relate specifically to comping, harmony, melody and linear activity. Table 4 shows
selected results.
42
Table 4: Initial Observations
Comping
27 tracks (64%) contain linear comping or contrapuntal left hand movement.
35 tracks (83%) contain comping devices other than normative rootless voicings.
Harmony
10 tracks (24%) contain elements of harmonic superimposition spelling movement in perfect
4ths (C7, F7, Bb7. etc.).
3 tracks contain clear occurrences where the melody has been reharmonised
Melody
23 tracks (57%) contain direct and obvious references to the melody during the piano
improvisation.
9 tracks (21%) contain at least one musical quotation, either from a standard or from one of
Mehldau’s own compositions (self-referential).
Rhythm
2 tracks contain excerpt(s) where a rhythm, consisting of only dotted quarter notes is repeated
over several bars creating a sense of constant-shift and syncopation.
Linear Devices
119 interesting or outside riffs/lines/motifs have been documented for further investigation.
These outside runs occur on 35 tracks (83%).
26 tracks (62%) contain a repeated motif.
20 tracks (48%) contain linear improvisation played in the left hand.
24 tracks (57%) utilise elements of the bebop language (or other idiosyncrasies).
21 tracks (50%) contain distinct moments of chromaticism.
3.3.6. Initial Conclusions
Two different parallel processes were employed to establish observations. One was a method
derived from impartial documentation based on my active listening and experience as a jazz
performer, and the other was driven by taste because arguably at an advanced level the study
of jazz is largely an autodidactic process. It can be concluded therefore that the elements
described below were also the elements that I was most interested in developing.
43
1. Nearly all of the tracks shortlisted contained significant amounts of harmonically

‘outside’ or ‘interesting’ riffs/lines/motifs recorded for further
investigation/transcription.
2. Two thirds contained obvious references to the melody during the piano
improvisation, linear comping or contrapuntal left hand movement and motivic
repetition or development.
3. Nearly all of the selection contains blues influences, half displayed distinct moments
of chromaticism, and nearly two-thirds of the selection utilised elements of bebop,
diatonic or other jazz idiosyncrasies.
4. Nearly all contained moments where Mehldau displayed evidence of an adventurous
style of comping (e.g. ostinato, contrapuntal movement, extended pedalling, etc).
3.3.7. Additional Selection
During the course of this research, Mehldau released two more albums: Ode (Nonesuch,
2012) and Where Do You Start (Nonesuch, 2012). Using the same selection process, I
included these two albums and shortlisted several tracks for analysis, again based on
perceived merit and extended listening.
3.4. Analytical Research
3.4.1. Transcription of Material
I transcribed 18 solos, predominantly (but not exclusively) chosen from the initial 42 selected
tracks (as described). ‘Ode’, ‘Kurt Vibe’, and ‘Dreamsketch’ appeared on Mehldau’s 2012
releases. I also transcribed ‘Tres Palabras’. Table 5 lists the solos transcribed.
Table 5: Transcribed Solos
Track Name Album Release Date

Blame It On My Youth AOT1 1996
Unrequited (grand stave) AOT3 1998
Elegy For William Burroughs And Allen Elegiac Cycle 1999
Ginsberg
I’ll Be Seeing You AOT4 1999
Exit Music (For A Film) AOT4 1999
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River Man (grand stave) AOT5

How Long Has This Been Going On AOT5
(outro; grand stave)
When It Rains Largo 2002
Anything Goes Anything Goes 2004
Tres Palabras Anything Goes 2004
Someone To Watch Over Me (outro; Live in Tokyo 2004
grand stave)
Knives Out Day Is Done 2005
Secret Beach Live 2008
Highway Rider Highway Rider 2010
Sky Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith) Highway Rider 2010
Dreamsketch (grand stave) Ode 2012
Kurt Vibe Ode 2012
Ode (grand stave) Ode 2012
In addition to the transcription of 18 full solos, I also transcribed excerpts of solos that were
marked as containing elements of particular interest as documented on the spreadsheet. The
number of transcribed excerpts exceeded 200. Table 6 shows a list of some of these
transcriptions, listed in alphabetical order.
Table 6: Some Transcribed Excerpts
Track Name Excerpt Location

Angst 2m26s
Cry Me A River 3m05s
From This Moment On 1m48s, 2m34s, 2m54s
I Fall In Love Too Easily 3m06s, 3m27s, 3m48s
Lament For Linus 2m08s, 2m49s
My Romance 4m25s
Nobody Else But Me 1m55s, 3m30s
Prelude To A Kiss 2m52s, 4m39s
Song-Song 4m21s
Young Werther 2m53s
45
3.4.2. Transcription Method
Where necessary (some transcriptions were available online) I used the computer program
Transcribe to aid transcription, allowing me to easily repeat phrases and reduce playback
speed without changing pitch. I notated all transcriptions using Finale professional notation
software on an Apple Macintosh computer running OSX.
In many cases I decided to transcribe the treble stave only with accompanying chord symbols
(derived from performance of the in-head). For reasons of markedness, some performances
required transcription on the grand stave to support analysis that couldn’t be exemplified with
a single stave (e.g. extensive interplay between hands or extremes of tessitura.
It is widely accepted that transcription is a reductive process. Limitations of the notation

system used to document music make it very difficult (if not impossible) to represent all
characteristics of a musical performance in a written score. With this fact in mind I
transcribed Mehldau’s performances in a way that aided performance-focused analysis, as
this is primarily a performance degree. For example, if a phrase was played behind/ahead of
the beat then I simply notated it to align with the tactus of the piece; I used the commonly
accepted labels ‘laid back’ or ‘pushed forward’ where necessary to display performance
characteristics. This method allowed me to not get preoccupied with notating for notating’s
sake; after all, the reason for this analysis is to support performances via practice-directed
research.
3.4.3. Live Performances
The philosopher Mark Wrathal states, ‘You could imagine people who really are
connoisseurs of jazz music, who really understand that one of the great things about jazz
music is the way musicians are responding to the performance hall and the audience and the
particular musicians that are there… and if you are a skilful listener and have the bodily
dispositions to pick up on that you would never be satisfied by listening to a recorded jazz
performance on CD, because that is not the performance that would be optimal for your
bedroom or living room’ (Giancario & Ruspoli, 2010).
In addition to transcription and analysis of album releases, I travelled abroad to listen to Brad
Mehldau play live on three occasions. The first was in Sydney, in January 2012, when I heard
46
Mehldau play twice as part of a duo with saxophonist Joshua Redman. In March 2012 I heard
the Brad Mehldau Trio play twice in Amsterdam, and also once in Italy; I also heard Mehldau
perform solo during the same visit. In May 2014 I attended 10 concerts performed by the
Brad Mehldau Trio perform at the Village Vanguard in New York. It was important to hear
Mehldau play live, as all audio recordings, no matter how well they are recorded, are the end
result of a reductive process. I wanted to hear Mehldau’s music performed in a live
environment so that I could (1) witness firsthand the interaction between musicians, (2) hear
how each musician performed largely unamplified (especially at the Village Vanguard as the
performance space is very intimate), and (3) gain perspective on how the music was affected
by conditions such as the audience and the performance space.
3.5. Analytical Research
3.5.1. Traditional Jazz Analysis
I have a strong interest in jazz analysis. I have taught improvisation to students at tertiary
level for eight years. To be thorough I researched recognised methods of jazz analysis by
acclaimed authors (e.g. Jazz Theory Resources, Volume One and Two [Ligon, 2001]) and
scholars such as Gary Potter (1990), helping me collect a set of analytical tools aimed at
understanding the transcriptions presented in this exegesis. Topics included (but weren’t
limited to) scales, rhythm, triadic generalisation, harmonic specificity, voicings, pentatonics,
hexatonics, and outside or wrong notes. Using these tools I was able to answer my many
questions about how Mehldau constructed his lines and made his note choices.
3.5.2. Study with Gary Burton
I studied under Gary Burton via the Berklee College of Music in Boston’s online course in
2012. Burton’s syllabus helped me to understand how an acclaimed jazz musician approaches
improvisation. I enjoyed online video chat sessions with Burton; we covered topics including
jazz analysis, contour/shape, melodic improvising, and communicating to our
unconscious/inner player. This course was not only useful for self-evaluation as a performer,
it also provided me with a holistic analytical perspective from an established improviser.
47
3.5.3. Cognitive Analysis
I noticed that Mehldau often plays in a way that doesn’t always conform to normative
practices as described by Burton and Ligon. I therefore borrowed from the field of cognitive
science in order to bridge the gap between the ‘what’ and the ‘why’ in music. David Huron’s
2006 book Sweet Anticipation, Music and the Psychology of Expectation was helpful in
providing insight into some of the ‘why’ questions. Huron coined the term ‘contrastive
valence’ which is particularly useful in describing some of the methods that Mehldau uses
when creating improvised lines and shaping solos as a whole. This term is discussed with
examples in Chapter 4. Huron’s research follows on from Emotion and Meaning in Music
(Meyer, 1956).
3.5.4. New Model of Analysis
In their article Consonance and Dissonance in Music Theory and Psychology: Disentangling
Dissonant Dichotomies, Parncutt and Hair (2011) discuss the many different ways that the
terms consonance and dissonance can be interpreted. Having established that I needed to
build an analytical model to include tools borrowed from jazz and classical traditions, I used
this paper to construct an analytical model based on holistic uses of the terms consonance and
dissonance. These terms and the analytical lexicon that I have formalised are described fully
in Chapter 4, with examples.
3.6. Analytical Trial
After having devised a new model of analysis built on elements of C/D, the next step was to
trial the model on select transcriptions.
For the trial, I chose 10 tracks spanning eight of Mehldau’s albums released during a 17-year
period from 1995 to 2012 (see Table 7). These tracks represent a cross-section of Mehldau’s
oeuvre; they contain two live tracks, eight studio tracks, two tracks containing transcription
on the grand stave, three tracks in a larger format than the trio, and one solo performance.
Table 7: Case Studies
Track Name Album Group Live/Studio Year

Tres Palabras Anything Goes Trio Studio 2004
48
Secret Beach Live Trio Live 2008
Sky Turning Grey (For Highway Rider Ensemble Studio 2010

Elliott Smith)
Blame It On My Youth AOT2 Trio Studio 1995
Highway Rider Highway Rider Ensemble Studio 2010
Anything Goes Anything Goes Trio Studio 2004
Elegy For William Elegiac Cycle Solo Studio 1999

Burroughs And Allen
Ginsberg
When It Rains Largo Ensemble Studio 2002
Ode (grand stave) Ode Trio Studio 2012
River Man (grand stave) AOT5 Trio Live 2001
I found that I was able to successfully analyse 10 solos using this model. The results of this
analysis and a transcription of each solo are given in Chapter 5.
3.7. Practice-Directed Component
Gary Burton (2012) reminds us that internalisation is essential when learning improvisational
tools, as elements of language must be transferred from the conscious to the unconscious
mind via repetition. The unconscious mind is much quicker than the conscious one and
therefore it is necessary to internalise any musical concepts. Once this has been achieved then
an improviser is free to observe and direct the course of a solo without being restricted by
conscious thought.
Having successfully completed an analytical trial, the final step of this study was to
internalise via rote the concepts learnt from my research. The Doctor of Musical Arts degree
requires five recitals over the course of four years; I used these recitals as benchmarks for my
progress in regard to the creative use of C/D. I maintained a reflexive stance when comparing
recordings of recitals to my model of improvisation found in Chapter 6. Details of each
recital are listed as:
49
3.7.1. Recital 1: The Evolving Emulation of Mehldau’s Style
This recital demonstrated my progress since my MMus recital. Repertoire was chosen from
Mehldau’s compositions, pop and standard tunes, and exemplified features found in
Mehldau’s compositions and arrangements.
3.7.2. Recital 2: Compositions of Brad Mehldau
This recital consisted of compositions written by Mehldau containing elements of melody,

harmony, consonance and dissonance that resonated with me.
3.7.3. Recital 3: My Compositions
This was a recital of my own compositions, inspired by Mehldau’s creative output.
3.7.4. Recital 4: Notes from New York City: Compositions Written in and
Inspired by the City That Never Sleeps
This was a recital of my own compositions written in May 2014. I travelled to New York to
hear 10 performances by the Brad Mehldau Trio at the Village Vanguard. It was an inspiring
trip and I was privileged to meet Brad again (we went to dinner after one of his Sydney
shows in 2012) and be able to talk briefly about my research on a couple of occasions.
3.7.5. Recital 5: Final Performance
This was a recital consisting of a final set of original compositions. It demonstrated via
performance the conceptual improvisational model described in Chapter 6.
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Chapter 4 - Consonance and Dissonance
Chapter 4. Consonance and Dissonance (C/D)
4.1. Introduction to C/D
This chapter defines and demonstrates several types of C/D found in Brad Mehldau’s music,
and explores how Mehldau uses C/D as a whole, creating improvisation that satisfies
expectations as theorized by Huron (2006). C/D relationships are divided into five categories:
vertical, horizontal, rhythmic, organic and cultural. These categories provide the foundation
of an analytical framework used to examine perceived motivation in Mehldau’s
performances. These categories of C/D are ordered in terms of perceived size, starting with
literal and small-scale (vertical) and becoming more figurative and large-scale (cultural).
In terms of classification, on occasion it is challenging to distinguish between categories of

C/D. To solve this problem it is necessary to establish the PRIMARY motivation behind the
C/D. Problems relating to classification are discussed where relevant throughout this chapter,
and especially in Chapter 4.7.7 Problems concerning Classification of C/D.
4.2. Introduction to Vertical C/D
‘Simultaneous relationships within individual sonorities are often referred to as vertical…

Some vertical intervals are consonant, others are dissonant’ (Parncutt & Hair, 2011, p. 150).
Vertical C/D describes sonorities consisting of at least two pitches containing identical (or
near identical) onsets (starting at the same time). Categorisation of vertical C/D includes
single notes (against a harmonic backdrop either spelt or inferred via chord symbols), dyads,
triads and diagonal C/D where the primary function is harmonic; these categories are defined
and exemplified in this chapter.
4.2.1. Single Notes
Single notes that are considered dissonant to the underlying harmonic structure (often falling
on structural locations such as downbeats) are found regularly in Mehldau’s improvisation.
For the purpose of this exegesis, notes that can be considered dissonant are notes that
contradict the harmonic function of the chord (wrong or outside notes). In addition,
commonly dissonant notes can be found in dominant sonorities (and one instance over a
minor chord) under certain circumstances. These commonly dissonant notes are dissonant if
51
sounded in an unprepared manner, but are at the same time a common extension for a
dominant seventh chord (see Levine, 1995; Ligon, 2001). All other notes are considered
vertically consonant.
Table 8 shows major, minor, dominant and half-diminished chords in the key of C. Notes
have been categorised as either being consonant, dissonant and commonly dissonant in
relation to each chord.
Table 8: Consonant and Dissonant Notes Found in Common Harmonic Sonorities
Chord Consonant Notes (Chord Dissonant Notes Commonly

Notes and Normative (Wrong or Outside Dissonant Notes
Extensions) Notes)
Cmaj7 C, D, E, F#, G, A, B Db, Eb, F, Ab, Bb
(R, 2(9), 3, #4(#11), 5, (b9, b3, 11, b6, b7)
6(13), 7)
Cmin C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb Db, E, Gb, Ab B*
(R, 2(9), b3, (4)11, 5, 6(13), (b9, 3, b5, b6) (7)
b7)
Cmin7b5 C, Db, D, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, A, E, G, B
Bb (3, 5, 7)
(R, b2(b9), 2, b3, 4(11), b5,
b6, 6, b7)
C7 C, D, E, F#, G, A, Bb F, B Db*, Eb*, Ab*
(R, 2(9), 3, #4(#11), 5, (11, 7) (b9, #9, b13)
6(13), b7) *Only if
unprepared
To clarify what may be considered by some as a controversial standpoint, it is important to

discuss commonly dissonant notes in more detail. Sometimes it may be difficult to
distinguish whether a note is simply an extension of the chord or should be marked as a
dissonance. For example, in the case of C7, b9, #9 and #5 are only considered as dissonant if
they are heard unprepared; this is due to the inherently unstable nature of the dominant
seventh. It is a generally excepted practice to alter dominant chords using alterations of the
fifth and ninth; however, this is usually heard within the context of a consonant horizontal
52
unit such as an altered or diminished passage, or perhaps supported by a motif to add

cohesion (an example of a culturally common motif may be the movement from 3rd to b9th
over a dominant chord, the flat ninth is essentially prepared by the cultural expectancy of
3rd–b9th movement so it doesn’t sound dissonant to the ear). After experimentation it can be
concluded that these extensions sound more dissonant when heard unprepared; this may also
be the case for the major seventh spelt over a minor chord, depending on performance
specifics such as beat placement, tempo, dynamics, etc.
Ultimately the deciding factor in determining the C/D of a note must be context, which is
determined primarily by referring to the original audio source and informed by the skill of the
listener. This in itself may seem too subjective, however the C/D level of most chord/tone
relationships found within the field of jazz has been adequately defined and documented,
with only a small amount of room for subjectivity. To complicate matters further, Huron
(2006) suggests that ultimately there is no ‘ugly’ sound found within music; simple repetition
alone creates a sense of predictability and familiarity in music, which in turn evokes a
positive limbic effect on a listener, which then can be misattributed to the event itself (p.
241).
4.2.2. Dyads
Dissonant dyads are notes that form an interval of a minor or major second, minor or major
seventh, or minor or major ninth. Dissonant dyads contain vertical sensory dissonance
(roughness) when isolated (Helmholtz, 1863), and for the most part also contain single notes
described as dissonant (see Chapter 4.2.1) in relation to the harmonic structure at onset.
At 5m02s of ‘Anything Goes’ (Anything Goes, 2004), two different dissonant dyads are
played in succession (see Figure 3). Mehldau spells a major seventh interval starting on A (A
and G#), the third of Fmaj7. A dissonance is formed from the resulting Fmaj7#9 chord, G#
being the sharp ninth of F major, itself a dissonant note. The dissonance is brief as the G# is
only heard during beat 1. In the next bar at beat 3, a minor ninth interval is played starting on
C, the fifth of F7. The notes are C, C and Db, creating a compound chromatic dissonance
between two occurrences of the fifth and also the sharp fifth.
53
Dissonant Dyad (major 7th) built from 3rd creating Fmaj7#9
Fmaj7 Gm7/C Fmaj7 F7

œ œ œ œ b œœ .
. œ œ œ œ œ
œ. 3œ
œ œ Œ ≈ œ.
5
& b 45
j
œ œ œ œ ≈ J
#œ
J
Dissonant Dyad (minor 9th)
starting on 5th
creating F7#5add5
Figure 3: ‘Anything Goes’ – 5m02s
At 2m05s of ‘Elegy For William Burroughs And Allan Ginsberg’ (Elegiac Cycle, 1999)
Mehldau plays a dissonant dyad forming a minor seventh over a B7 chord, during a minor II–
V–I in E minor (see Figure 4). This minor seventh interval is spelt from C (the flat ninth of
B7) and includes Bb a seventh above. The resulting chord is a B7b9 (addmaj7), a dissonant
vertical sonority.
3
F #m7(! 5) B7/F #
Gmaj7
œ œ œ œ œ œ
3
œ œœ
3
œ œ b œœ œœ œ # œ
3
œ
3
# œ œ œ œ œ # œ
& c œœœœœœ Œ ≈
3
Dissonant Dyad (minor 7th) built from the b9th creating B7b9add maj7
Em7 Dm6 G7aug

# œ œ. œ . # œ. œ œ
œ
& œ œ œ. œ œ n œ œ. # œ œ
.
Figure 4: ‘Elegy For William Burroughs And Allan Ginsberg’ – 2m05s
At 3m29s of Mehldau’s solo performance of ‘How Long Has This Been Going On’ (AOT5,
2001), a sharp ninth and natural ninth are spelt over an E7 chord at the end of bar 1; the
resulting interval is a major seventh starting on a G. During the middle of the next bar, over
an A7 chord, Mehldau plays a major ninth starting on Db. This forms a dissonant dyad that
spells the third and sharp eleventh of A7 (see Figure 5).
54
Dissonant Dyad (major 7th)

built from the b3rd
B7 E7
#c œ œ
creating E7#9add9
& Œ nœ #œ œ bœ nœ œ
A7 bœ
Dissonant Dyad (major 9th) built from the 3rd creating A7#11
# œ œ œ #œ nœ œ nœ #œ
& #œ œ
# D7œ Gmaj7
& w bœ œ œ œ œ œ w
Figure 5: ‘How Long Has This Been Going On’ – 3m29s
Finally, in a harmonically static excerpt from ‘Bealtine’ (House On Hill, 2006), at 5m57s
Mehldau plays another dissonant dyad based on a major seventh, starting on the fifth of Ab
minor. A D natural is played over an Eb (the sharp eleventh of Ab minor); the result is a
dissonance that forms the basis of a phrase using the Ab blues scale (Db, D, Db, B, Ab) (see
Figure 6).
A !m bœ
œ œ b œ
& 43 ‰ j
œ œ
bœ nœ œ œ œ
nœ bœ
Dissonant dyad (major 7th) built from the 5th creating Abm7#11
bœ nœ bœ bœ nœ bœ
j
bœ
bœ
&
4
Figure 6: ‘Bealtine’ – 5m57s
4.2.3. Triadic and Other Chordal Dissonance
Triads and other chordal dissonances appear frequently in Mehldau’s improvisation and
compositions. Like single notes and dyads, they can be described as dissonances that contain
isolated vertical sonorities. They are heard in relation to the harmonic foundation or include
the latter.
55
In ‘I’ll Be Seeing You’ (AOT4, 1999) a dissonant triad is spelt at bar 2, the fifth, sharp fifth
and eleventh of Bb7#5. The outer notes of this triad form a minor seventh, the fifth and sharp
fifth being voiced next to each other creating a dissonant dyad (minor second), and the use of
a perfect fourth in a dominant chord furthers that dissonance (see Figure 7).
E !maj7 B !+7 E !maj7

jœ j
& bbb c œ œ œ œ
œ b œ n œ œ œœ b œœ Ó Œ b œœœ ˙.
œ
œ
3
Dissonant Triad (5th, #5th & 11th)

spelling Bb7+5 add 5
Figure 7: ‘I'll Be Seeing You’ – 1m42s
Another example is heard during the rubato outro of ‘How Long Has This Been Going On’
(AOT5, 2001). At bars 19 and 20, three dominant chords are spelt in succession (C13, F9 and
A7), all containing an added fourth, creating a dissonant sonority (see Figure 8).
C13add4 F9add4 A7add4

#c j j
& œ
n œœœ œ b œ œœœ
œœ œ w
r
œ r
#œ
b œœ .. j j
?#c œ. n œœœ ˙˙˙ œ. œ œ œ
#œ ˙ œ
J J
Figure 8: ‘How Long Has This Been Going On’ – 6m05s
4.2.4. Diagonal Harmony
Diagonal C/D (Boulez, 1963; Lerdahl, 1989) such as an arpeggio are included in this
discussion of C/D as they act as local temporal extensions of vertical sonorities (Parncutt &
Hair, 2011, p. 153). Arpeggios can be considered chords for the purpose of this definition,
and therefore any arpeggio that spells a harmonic sonority can be described as a vertical C/D.
A good example is the Lydian ascending passage. This is an ascending arpeggio that spells a
major triad with a sharp eleventh suffix, in the order of fifth, root, third, sharp eleventh. In the
key of C major this would spell (from bottom to top) G, C E, F#. Mehldau’s application of
this phrase usually spans two octaves and often ends with a descending scale or other
horizontal passage. The combination of a vertical ascending arpeggio combined with a
56
descending horizontal passage subscribes to cognitive home-away-home theories, as

dissonance is created via harmonic superimposition on a vertical plane which slowly resolves
to consonance via horizontal means (see Chapter 4.7 for holistic examples of C/D). The
following examples of this phrase illustrate several transpositions of the passage
superimposed upon different harmonic frameworks.
In Figure 9, an excerpt of ‘From This Moment On’ (Introducing Brad Mehldau, 1995),
Mehldau spells a G Lydian ascending passage (LAP) over an Em7(b5) chord at 2m33s.
Commonly accepted jazz theory texts suggest that suitable note choices for an Em7(b5) chord
should be derived from a melodic minor scale a minor third up from the chord’s root (also
known as the E Locrian #2). In the case of Em7(b5), that would be G melodic minor (G, A,
Bb, C, D, E, F# and G). The notes from the G LAP that fall outside that melodic minor scale
are B natural and C#; B is of particular interest as it is the fifth of the chord played against the
flat fifth spelt by the chord symbol. However, if we consider the minor key centre that
Em7(b5) is derived from then this may suggest a reason for this superimposition. Em7(b5)
would often be followed by A7(alt) and D minor(maj7), forming part of a minor 2–5–1
cadence. All of the notes of the G LAP are contained within a D melodic minor scale.
Mehldau has used the notes contained within the key centre of D minor to form this LAP.
Em7( ! 5 ) œ # œ œ œ # œ œ œ
# œ œ œ œ œ
&c ≈
œ œ
œ
G Lydian Ascending Passage
Figure 9: ‘From This Moment On’ – 2m33s
In ‘Lament For Linus’ (AOT1, 1996), a harmonic relationship is easier to understand (see
Figure 10). The notes of E LAP are all derived from the Bb7 super Locrian scale (Bb, B, C#,
D, E, F#, G#, Bb).
√
B !7alt Am7
#œ#œ œ œ œ#œnœ#œ#œ œ #œ #œ œ œ
œ
&c ≈ œ#œ#œ œ bœ œ œ ‰ Œ
œœ
œ
E Lydian Ascending Passage
Figure 10: ‘Lament For Linus’ – 2m49s
57
At 2m56s of ‘Nobody Else But Me’ (AOT1, 1996), the excerpt (Figure 11) forms part of a
harmonically cyclical line moving in fourths from an Em9 chord in the first bar through Am9,
Db/D (a substitution of D7), and Gm7 then finally C7 four bars later. An E LAP is spelt over
the first chord of the cycle, namely Em9. This creates vertical dissonance at this point as
Mehldau substitutes minor with major.
Am9 D !/D
Dm11 Em9
œ #œ #œ œ œ bœ bœ œ bœ bœ
&c Ó ≈ #œ #œ œ œ bœ bœ bœ œ bœ nœ
œœ
Figure 11: ‘Nobody Else But Me’ – 2m56s
In ‘Sky Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith)’ (Highway Rider, 2010) at 4m09s, a tritone
relationship is formed between a LAP in A and an Ebm7 chord that supports it (see Figure
12). Dissonance sonorities are heard via the superimposition of E and A against the harmonic
foundation, adding a flat ninth and flat fifth to the Ebm7.
Cm7(! 5) E !m7/B ! #œ #œ nœ œ œ nœ œ œ
b #œ nœ œ
& b bbb c ∑ ‰ nœ nœ #œ
A Lydian Ascending Passage
Figure 12: ‘Sky Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith)’ – 4m09s
4.2.5. Summary of Vertical C/D
Vertical dissonances have been defined and classified using the terms single-note, intervallic,
chordal and diagonal and these definitions assist when considering C/D from a holistic
standpoint, both on a local and global scale. Having so many categories of vertical dissonance
may seem a little unnecessary at first; for example, it is possible to separate the dissonant
notes found in a chord and treat them as a single note dissonances instead of creating a
category of triadic dissonance (V/D), thus eliminating the need for the classification
altogether. However, if the sonority is a chord or a dissonant arpeggio then it should be
labelled as such. Individual types of C/D are discussed first; holistic C/D exemplification and
problems contained within the definitions are discussed in Chapter 4.7. The most important
58
point about vertical dissonance is that its function is to be destabilising in relation to other
musical events.
4.3. Introduction to Horizontal Tonal C/D
As defined by Parncutt and Hair (2011, p. 150), any C/D can be considered horizontal if
sounded on a temporal level. Therefore horizontal C/D can apply to phrases, chord
progressions, rhythm, form, and style. In fact, any form of C/D that is not vertical can be
considered horizontal; however, for ease of categorisation and analytical discourse, this
exegesis separates elements of horizontal C/D relating to rhythm, organicism and culture
from other horizontal dissonances, and limits the definition of horizontal C/D primarily to
tonal movement. The advantages of this are practical; it is then possible to discuss rhythmical
C/D separately from tonal C/D. A passage can then be described in more complex terms; for
example, a phrase may contain a high level of rhythmic dissonance such as metric
asynchronicity or have a disjunct metric feel, but be horizontally consonant (diatonic). It
allows extremely dissonant sections of music to be labelled as containing vertical, horizontal,
rhythmic, and organic dissonances (see Chapter 4.5), making comparisons more formally
structured. Meyer (1956) reminds us that ‘as a rule melody, rhythm, harmony, and so forth
are perceived together as a single unitary process’ (p. 126).
Horizontal C/D is categorised into consonant melodicism (marked and unmarked), dissonant
melodicism, motif and call and response, chromaticism, linear tonality, and perceptual
dissonance. These are described below in turn.
4.3.1. Consonant Melodicism (Marked/Unmarked) with a Romantic Bent
Copland (2009) writes of the difficulties associated with describing melodic material: ‘We
cannot even say, with any degree of surety, what constitutes a good melody. Still, most
people think they know a beautiful melody when they hear one. Therefore, they must be
applying certain criteria, even though unconscious ones. Though we may not be able to
define what a good melody is in advance, we certainly can make some generalisations about
melodies that we already know to be good, and that may help to make clearer characteristics
of good melodic writing’ (p. 41). Many jazz texts such as Burton (2012), Galper (2005) and
Ligon (2001) describe melodic improvisation as being important without detailing specifics
about how ‘good’ melody is formed. Discussion of melodic material is usually related to
motif and motivic development (augmentation, inversion, retrograde inversion, etc.) without
59
addressing perceived motivation. In Melodic Improvising, Middleton (2005) argues that ‘Any
improviser, beginner or advanced, can increase the interest level and emotional impact of his
or her solo by focusing on its melodic development rather than on merely trying to express
the complexities of the harmonic progression’ (p. 8). Middleton describes melodies as having
certain characteristics, and links emotional impact of the line to its lyricism and tunefulness
(p. 11).
Liebman (2005) describes consonant melodies as containing a smooth contour usually

consisting of conjunct intervals. ‘A melody should have a clear shape or contour with a
defined beginning and ending. A truly satisfying melody should be able to stand alone
without any harmonic or rhythmic accompaniment and still portray expressive content. Some
melodies are very song-like, easily absorbed by the listener, mostly consonant, and can be
considered lyrical. Others may be more abstract and not as singable’ (p. 46). In Fundamentals
of Musical Composition (1967), Schoenberg defines singable melodies as ‘containing
relatively long notes; smooth linkage of the registers; movement in waves, more stepwise
than by leaps; avoidance of augmented and diminished intervals; adherence to the tonality
and its most closely related regions; employment of the natural intervals of a key; gradual
modulation; and a cautious use of dissonance’ (p. 98).
Borrowing from Ron Miller’s definition of romantic melodicism in Modal Jazz, Composition
and Harmony, Volume 2 (2002), examples of melodic characteristics found in romantic
melodies include the use of leaps of a major or minor sixth, other intervallic skips for drama,
use of flat sixths at cadences, lyrical intervallic quality, enhancement of cadential resolution
via non harmonic notes, melodic chromaticism, balanced three-part motivic statements, and
cadential suspension (p. 30).
For the purposes of this exegesis, consonant melodicism is defined as melodic improvisation
pertaining to the combination of definitions from Liebman, Schoenberg and Miller: singable,
self-supporting, wave-like (contour sensitive), largely diatonic melodic writing with a
romantic bent. It is to be noted that any non-dissonant (see Chapter 4.3.2) diatonic melody
will be considered consonant, but borrowing from Robert Hatten’s (1994, p. 36) definition of
markedness, particular attention will be focused on melodic improvisation that pertains to a
model as defined by Liebman, Schoenberg and Miller.
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In ‘Say Goodbye’ (Introducing Brad Mehldau, 1995), Mehldau employs two romantic
melodic elements: chromaticism and a cadential flat sixth, a D natural alternating between
Db, the fifth of the tonicised key centre of Gb major, at bar 2 beat 1 (see Figure 13).
A !m7 D !7 3 G !maj7
Œ. œ œ bœ œ œ
&c
3
J
3
#œ œ œ bœ nœ bœ nœ bœ bœ
Flat 6 Ch. App. D Major or D flat locrian Flat 6
Figure 13: ‘Say Goodbye’ – 3m52s
At 3m53s of ‘Dreamsville’ (Anything Goes, 2004), Mehldau employs romantic devices such
as repeated notes (bar 1), a melodic leap of a major sixth (bar 1 beat 3), conjunct movement
with occasional leaps (bar 2 beats 2–3), a balanced three-part motivic statement (bars 1–3)
and some melodic chromaticism (see Figure 14).
E !m7( ! 5 ) A !7
B !7
6th
Fm7( ! 5 )
&c bœ œ œ bœ bœ ‰ bœ nœ bœ nœ œ bœ
3
b œ œ b œj n œ b œ b œ b œ
3
bœ nœ
D !m7 G !7 C !maj7
3
Leap
& bœ bœ œ j
3
nœ œ œ œ bœ bw
Figure 14: ‘Dreamsville’ – 3m53s
4.3.2. Dissonant Melodicism
Dissonant melodicism is easier to define. Both Liebman and Middleton describe melodic
dissonance as containing larger intervals (either diatonic or chromatic). Angular melodic lines
are disjunct, and don’t follow established musical contours such as post-skip reversal (gap
fill). Meyer (1956) states that ‘if weak shapes have resulted largely from exaggerated
segregation of stimuli (e.g., extreme distance between pitches, excessive temporal
disjunction, or both), then the mind will prefer to regard the stimulus series as being
incomplete… further developments will be expected to complete what was incomplete or to
effect some other sort of clarification’ (p. 162).
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Mehldau often employs disjunct, angular material within the context of his improvisations.
Examples can be found in ‘Secret Beach’ (Live, 2010) at 4m47s; Mehldau begins a
hypermetric section with intervals of an octave, fifth, flat fifth, then after a brief chromatic
spell, ends with a flat seventh (see Figure 15). The subsequent phrase also contains large
leaps including octaves, fourths, fifths and a seventh before resolving to consonant
melodicism at bar 39. The angularity heard in Figure 15 is built upon compound melodic
movement such as the descending chromatic line E (bar 1 beat 1) to Eb (bar 4 beat 1) to D
(bar 5 beat 1).
Am7 E13/G # Gm7 D !7/F

œ œ b œ Œ‰ n œ b œ œ ‰ Œ Ó b œ œ œ b œ b œ ≈ # œœ ‰ b œ
&c œ œ ∑ bœ œ œ bœ œ œ
E !7alt
Disjunct Melodicism built upon compound melody
B !m7 ! 5
bœ bœ bœ
3
& œ ‰ Œ Ó Œ
œ
œ ‰ bœ nœ œ
J
bœ
Figure 15: ‘Secret Beach’ – 4m47s
4.3.3. Motif and Call and Response
Huron (2006) states that ‘repetition in music causes the repeated musical patterns to make the
transition from short-term to intermediate-term memory. Musical repetition acts like an
involuntary form of conscious memorization. It is perhaps no surprise that a musical motive
is both (1) the shortest distinct unit of repetition in a work, and (2) the most memorable
feature or characteristic of a work’ (p. 229). As stated earlier, for Huron ‘commonly
experienced sounds or sound patterns are more likely to evoke a positively valenced affect’
(p. 366).
A motif is a repeated sound pattern (whether harmonic, rhythmic or melodic) and for the
purposes of this exegesis can be defined as a unit recognisable as such by listening to the
audio source. Huron (2006) reminds us ‘repetition can occur at many temporal levels, from
long-term repetition of entire sections of music to brief motivic repetition’ (p. 262), and
Mehldau often employs repetition of a phrase unit as a prevailing improvisational concept,
therefore creating a motif. This has been documented in Wood’s article Issues in the Analysis
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of Improvisation: A Structuralist Approach to the Work of Brad Mehldau (2005) and Page's
master's thesis Motivic Strategies in Improvisations by Keith Jarrett and Brad Mehldau
(2009). Wood suggests that Mehldau employs a long-term strategy to improvisation that
utilises motivic intensification on a temporal scale, while Page posits that Mehldau uses motif
as musical glue, binding passages of improvisational material together (p. 34). Analysis of
Mehldau’s motivic use features in the discussion of complete solos in Chapter 5. Huron
(2006) suggests that repetition and similarity provide a positive valence; a reward based on
expectation, therefore for the purposes of this exegesis motivic repetition and development
can be deemed as consonant.
In 'Knives Out' (Day Is Done, 2005), Mehldau employs a motif that occurs within the
hypermetric boundaries at the beginning of the piano solo (2m17s). The motif is an anapestic
disjunct 3-note cell consisting of 2 semiquavers and a longer sonority, either held or divided
by rests. The motivic theme lasts from bar 2 to 18 (see Figure 16).
C m7 C m7/B !
b ‰ ≈ œr œ œ
&b bc œ œ œ œ 44 ∑ Ó
œ
A !±
bbb œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ ‰ Œ ‰ œ œr ≈ Œ
M1
& œœJ‰ Ó œ œR œ œœ
G m(maj7) G m/F
M1.1 M1.4
A•/E
M1.2 M1.5
b ‰ # œj n œ n œ n œ œ # œ
M1.3
& b b #˙ Œ w
3
b
&b b Ó Œ ‰ œœ œ œœœ œ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ #œ
Cm Cm7/B ! A !±
b r ‰ œœ w
M1.6 M1.7
&b b œ œœ œœ ≈‰ Ó Ó Œ
Gm
œ ˙ œ œ w
bbb
M1.8
œ
& ˙ œ œ œ œ
M1.9
M1.10
Figure 16: ‘Knives Out’ – 2m17s
Mehldau often employs call and response in his improvisation, sometimes using different
voices and often using different hands. The same principles that define a motif (i.e. relying on
aural verification) can be used to define a section of music containing call and response. Call
63
and response can also be considered a consonant due to the positive valence created via
repetition. In ‘Secret Beach’ (Live, 2010) at 5m19s, Mehldau plays a simple repeated
rhythmic figure using call and response (see Figure 17).
H/C (Call) H/C (Response)
E7 j G7/F
œ. œ ‰ œ Ó œœ œ œ
&c ‰ j
1 ˙. œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ
Figure 17: ‘Secret Beach’ – 5m19s
4.3.4. Chromaticism
Huron (2006) states, ‘Chromatic notes are highly unstable, they evoke strong expectations…
when a chromatic note is resolved, there is a sense of pleasure evoked even when the
resolving pitch is also somewhat unstable’ (p. 165). Chromaticism can be defined as a
horizontal dissonance, as it is melodically and harmonically destabilising. Mehldau employs
chromaticism regularly, often to transition between sonorities. Chromatic melodic statements
can also be found in Mehldau’s improvisation, although generally these are less common.
At 3m12s of ‘When It Rains’ (Largo, 2002), a chromatic passage descends from D to F (see
Figure 18), in this case joining an ascending arpeggio (bar 1) with a descending one (bar 2).
nœ bœ œ œ nœ œ nœ œ bœ nœ #œ nœ œ nœ
Chromaticism
B7/A
#### c n œ œ
Chromaticism
& # Œ ® nœ œ œ nœ ®
nœ
G #m7 C #7/G # G+
#### œ œ œ œ œ
& # œ œ œ œ œ nœ Œ Œ
Figure 18: ‘When It Rains’ – 3m12s
Perhaps more melodically, Mehldau uses chromaticism at 5m18s of ‘Say Goodbye’

(Introducing Brad Mehldau, 1995) over a cadential II–V–I progression. The phrase starts on
a D, descends a minor third to B, then chromatically to A, down a perfect fourth to E, then
chromatically to Eb. In addition, each occurrence of this chromatic motif begins in a different
64
place in the bar, creating a metric shift (see Chapter 4.4.3). The notes are D, B, Bb, A, E, Eb
and, with the exception of the Bb, are derived from a Db super Locrian mode (see Figure 19).
A !m7(! 5) D !7
œ œ bœ œ G !maj7
&c ≈ œ bœ œ œ bœ œ œ bœ
œ bœ w
6-note chromatic motif ...repeated down an octave
...and resolved to the fifth of Gflat
Figure 19: ‘Say Goodbye’ – 5m18s
4.3.5. Linear Tonality
According to Ludmilla (1994), ‘linear tonality… refers to a pull of a key centre as a result of
melodic movement, not necessarily dependant on harmonic conglomerates’ (quoted in
Liebman, p. 172). Mehldau’s use of linear tonality is evident throughout his oeuvre, and can
be defined as superimposition that is not necessarily supported by comping patterns by piano
or other chordal entity (e.g. strings or pump organ in albums such as Largo or Highway
Rider). It is important to note that categorical placement of linear tonality is in the horizontal
section of C/D; improvisation pertaining to harmonic superimposition can be found in the
organic C/D section. Although these elements are similar, linear tonality is considered a
horizontal dissonance and has a smaller impact, whereas harmonic dissonance acts in direct
violation of the harmonic strophe, and is therefore considered an organic dissonance (see
Chapter 4.5).
In ‘Exit Music (For A Film)’ (AOT4, 1999), Mehldau spells F# Locrian (G Major scale) over
an F#7 chord at the beginning and end of Figure 20 at 5m14s; however, the second half of bar
one contains all of the notes found in an Eb major scale.
65
F #7sus
œ œ œ œ œ œ bœ œ bœ bœ nœ
## 4 œ œ œ nœ bœ œ bœ œ œ œ œ n œ
& 4 œœœœœœœ œ
bœ bœ nœ bœ œ bœ n œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
G major E Flat Major Scale
F #7 œ œ nœ œ nœ œ œ œ œ #œ œ œ nœ
## œ œ ®
&
Transitional Chromatic Use
G Major
Figure 20: ‘Exit Music (For A Film)’ – 5m14s
Table 9 demonstrates the effect of an Eb linear tonality superimposed over F#7. The result
spells a major seventh (F) instead of a flat seventh (E); the scale contains altered notes such
as sharp eleventh, sharp fifth and flat ninth, but also a natural ninth and thirteenth, so all of
the notes in an Eb major scale are conducive to either an F# Mixolydian or an F# super
Locrian mode, excepting F, the major seventh of F#7.
Table 9: Linear Tonality
Eb Major Eb F G Ab Bb C D Eb
Scale
Relationship 13 Maj 7 b9 9 3 #11 #5 13
to F#7
While the F played over an F#7 could be interpreted as a single note dissonance instead of a
linear tonality, one must remember that context plays a large part in defining elements of
C/D. In this context, the F is clearly part of the Eb major scale lasting for over two beats, and
therefore the event can be defined as a linear tonality, and consequently a horizontal
dissonance.
An example of cyclical harmonic superimposition can be found at 3m44s of ‘29 Palms’

(Places, 2000) when, at bar 3, Mehldau spells, via linear tonality, the three key centres of B,
E then A major (circle of fifths), all played over C harmony; this is demonstrated in Figure
21. This harmonic destabilisation resolves on the second beat of bar 2, as the line re-
establishes the progression. Again, linear tonality does not necessarily have to rely on
66
supporting harmonic cadential progressions (such as tonicisation via II–V–I); key centres are
instead defined through melodic movement alone.
C C/E
œ
5 #œ #œ œ #œ #œ œ œ
œ
≈
nœ #œ œ
œ œ œ #œ
&4
Cm7 F7/C
B Major E Major
& œ œ #œ nœ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó
A major F Major
Figure 21: ‘29 Palms’ – 3m44s
It is important to clarify the differences between ‘linear tonality’ and arguably the more
commonly used term ‘bitonality’. Linear tonality doesn’t necessarily require harmonic
support; a key can be implied by line alone, where in cases of bitonality, a phrase may
contain harmonic events. In essence, linear tonality can be understood as being a subset of
bitonality. As Mehldau often implies a state of bitonality using only linear events, the term
linear tonality is more appropriate here. Cases where Mehldau superimposes harmonic events
can be found; these events create stronger dissonances and are considered as organic
dissonances (see Chapter 4.5).
4.3.6. Perceptual Tonal Dissonance
As Berry (1976) notes, ‘There are “dissonances” and “resolutions” within all of music’s
parameters… an upward leap in the pitch-line, a highly active (perhaps imitative) texture of
competing lines, relative ambiguity or (in relation to a referential norm) asymmetry of metric
relations – any of these can, like other, comparable conditions of instability and expectancy
of restoration of “simpler” states, be conceived as “dissonant”… These actions and
interactions, pertinent to the elements of tonality, harmony, melody, texture, and rhythm, as
to further parameters within each of these, are a principal substance of function and
expression in music’ (p. 13).
The term ‘perceptual dissonance’ was coined by Parncutt and Hair (2011, p. 150) to describe
‘the independent motion of voices in a Bach fugue – called auditory stream segregation in
auditory psychology and regarded as the (near-)opposite of perceptual fusion’. As discussed
67
earlier, aspects of horizontal dissonances relating to rhythm, harmony and form will be
discussed in later chapters; perceptual dissonance in this case relates to horizontal notes only.
Lehne, Rohrmeier, Gollman, and Koelsch (2012) state, ‘The general tension resolution
pattern of a music piece is governed essentially by its tonal structure, rather than by
expressive features. Adding expressive features, however, can enhance the experience of
musical tension’ (p. 21). So an increase in perceived tonal tension (often supported by an
increase in dynamics) is a horizontal dissonance. Examples of perceptual dissonances include
(but are not limited to): two (or more) concurrent melodic lines as found in contrary and
polyphonic motion, and melodic passages where the contour approaches an extreme of
tessitura (horizontal sonorities that challenge the referential norm either on a local or a global
level).
Examples of this can be found in most music; Mehldau in particular makes use of polyphonic
and contrary-motion melodic ideas on a regular basis. A clear example can be found at 4m17s
of ‘Ode’ (Ode, 2012); Mehldau introduces an ascending countermelody from the bass that is
juxtaposed against the improvised right hand line (see Figure 22).
### c bœ bœ nœ Amaj7
œ# œœn œ# œn œœœ œœ b œ œ b œœn œ . œ
& nœ œ œn œ œœ œ œ œ . œ œ
œ œ
? ### c ∑ ∑
Bm7
### œ œœœœ œ œœœ œ œ œœ œœ
& œ œ œ œ œ
œ œœœ œ œœ œ œ œ
œ. œ. œ
? ### Œ ‰ ≈ œr ‰ œj ≈ œ ‰ œ . œ ‰ œJ ≈ J
R
Ascending Countermelody
E7
### rœ œ nœ
& Œ Œ .
‰ œ nœ bœ
˙ ‰ . n œr b œ b œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ
? ### œ œ. Œ n œ n œ œ œ œ ‰ b œj Œ
Figure 22: ‘Ode’ – 4m17s
68
An example of tessitural extremes can be found at bar 2 of Figure 23, 2m58s into ‘Elegy For
William Burroughs And Allen Ginsberg’ (Elegiac Cycle, 1999). Mehldau plays an ascending
figure that culminates at C7 (just a few notes below the limit of most pianos); this can be seen
as perceptual dissonance as the phrase extends beyond the normative range of the
piece/improvised line.
Cm(maj7) F7
?#c œ bœ œ nœ œ œ œ
œ &® œ bœ nœ œ
?
œ
œ œ bœ nœ
Gmaj7 B7/F #
œ # œ œ œ œ n œ
œœ œœ œ œ
9 6
œ œ œ # œœ n œœ
5
# bœnœ œ œ œ
3
œ # œ
6
& œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ
Extreme Tessitural Range
Figure 23: ‘Elegy For William Burroughs And Allen Ginsberg’ – 2m58s
4.3.7. Summary of Horizontal Tonal C/D
Horizontal tonal C/D addresses events played out on a temporal scale, relating specifically to
tonality, and has been categorised in this section into six types: consonant ‘marked’
melodicism, dissonant melodicism, motif and call and response, chromaticism, linear
tonality, and perceptual dissonance.
Rhythmic, organic and cultural C/D are also horizontal, as they occur across a spatiotemporal
plane. However, for ease of categorisation and analytical discourse, this exegesis separates
elements of horizontal C/D relating to rhythm, organicism and culture from other horizontal
dissonances, and limits the definition of horizontal C/D primarily to tonal movement. The
advantages of this are practical; it is then possible to discuss rhythmical C/D separately from
tonal C/D. A passage can then be described in more complex terms; for example, a phrase
may contain a high level of rhythmic dissonance such as metric asynchronicity or other
disjunct rhythmic feel, but be horizontally consonant (diatonic and/or conjunct). It allows
extremely dissonant sections of music to be labelled as containing a combination of vertical,
horizontal, rhythmic, and organic dissonances, making comparisons clearer.
69
4.4. Introduction to Rhythmic C/D
Yorgason (2009) defines metric dissonance as a ‘noncongruence between a listener’s internal

meter and the metric patterns present in a work’s sounding surface; may involve the
emergence of a potential secondary meter, but should also include the subtler effects of
expressive asynchrony (such as asynchronous metric streams) which slightly ruffle the metric
surface without suggesting a secondary meter’ (p. 403).
The terms ‘meter’ and ‘rhythm’ need to be clarified at this point. These terms are often used
to mean very similar things. Yorgason (2009) uses the term ‘metric dissonance’ to describe
disturbances to the metric norm. Meter is related to the anticipation of re-occurring rhythmic
events (in terms of both strong and weak beats), and a sense of meter is used to predict future
rhythmic events. Rhythm is used to describe any regular re-occurring motion regardless of
whether the re-occurrence aligns with a sense of metric predictability. Meter is a subset of
rhythm and this chapter uses the term ‘meter’ when describing rhythmical events in relation
to the metric norm. In all other cases, the term ‘rhythm’ is satisfactory to describe re-
occurring motion.
The auditory disruption that rhythmic dissonance creates has been categorised into five types
in this study: diminishing dispersal, metric asynchronicity/disjunct rhythm, metric shift,
temporal density, and expressive variation. All other rhythmic events are considered
consonant. At this point it should be noted that for the purposes of this analytical framework,
syncopation is considered a consonant; this is arguably because syncopation is such a
common occurrence that it is schematically expected in jazz and jazz-derived music. It may
on occasion be necessary to deem extreme examples of syncopation as containing metric
dissonance in the case studies, however normative use of syncopation is generally expected
and therefore does not create any metric dissonance when compared to the rhythmical mean.
Just as expressions such as dynamics are often applied to notes for salient affect, syncopation
can be used in addition to rhythmic dissonances, furthering the marked dissonance of the
rhythmical sonority.
4.4.1. Diminishing Dispersal
Yorgason (2009) describes diminishing dispersal as ‘a temporal process in which successive

rhythmic events become more synchronous and constricted; the gradual narrowing of
dispersal’ (p. 88). In all cases, the fundamental premise of diminishing dispersal utilises a
70
‘dissonance-to-consonance’ paradigm; as inter-onset intervals decrease, a positive valence is

established as the phrase gradually synchronises with the tactus.
Mehldau regularly employs diminishing dispersal. At bar 1 of Figure 24, an excerpt from
‘Madrid’ (Places, 2000), a diminishing dispersal occurs at 1m38s, beginning with three
chromatically ascending notes (E, F, F#). The inter-onset frequency between notes gradually
decreases from a dotted crotchet (bar 1 beat 2) to a crotchet (bar 2 beat 3) and finally to a
quaver (bar 4 beat 4). In this case, syncopation of the first and third note (E and F#) of this
phrase adds to the sense of rhythmical displacement.
Bm/D
&c Œ. j ‰ # œj Œ
œ Œ œ #œ œ
C #7sus C #7
œ ‰ œj
Diminishing Dispersal
œ
& #œ œ œ #œ œ
œ #œ œ œ œ
Figure 24: ‘Madrid’ – 1m38s
In ‘The Nearness Of You’ (Anything Goes, 2004), an example of diminishing dispersal

occurs at 3m07s (see Figure 25). Mehldau plays a line over a II–V–III–VI–II–V progression
in F major. This example contains less syncopation than that from ‘Madrid’, but demonstrates
a clear decrease of onset-interval. By dividing each bar into two beats, it is easy to observe
that the number of notes contained within each half bar consistently rises from two notes (bar
1 beats 1–2) to 5 notes (bar 1 beats 3–4), then 8 notes (bar 2 beats 1–2) to 10 notes (bar 2
beats 3–4). The phrase is resolved at bar 3 beat 1 with a sudden decrease in rhythmic density
and a blues-like figure.
Gm7 C7 Am7 œ b œ œ # œ n D7
œ # œ œ œ nœ
&c Œ bœ œ #œ œ œ bœ nœ œ ≈ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ
5
Gm7 C7
œ
& œ bœ Œ Ó
3
Figure 25: ‘The Nearness Of You’ – 3m07s
71
4.4.2. Metric Asynchronicity
Yorgason (2009) defines metric asynchronicity as ‘the absence or lack of concurrence in

time’ (p. 396). Mehldau uses metric asynchronicity to create dissonance in two ways. The
first can be described as disjunct rhythm which is often a precisely dissonant rhythmical
stream commonly occurring early on in a solo. The second example of metric asynchronicity
usually appears in the latter part of a solo, often accompanied by other dissonances such as
linear tonality and harmonic destabilisation. It consists of playing with an ‘absence’ of
rhythm.
In an interview with music journalist Bill Milkowski, Mehldau describes these dissonances as
‘a new type of approach we’re exploring where we’re playing the melody and then creating a
texture that sort of builds up to a high point, not playing on the changes of the tune and not
playing in any rhythmic feel but trying to base the improvisation off the melody’ (quoted in
Milkowski, 1998, p. 2).
Figure 26 shows disjunct rhythm at 4m22s of ‘Anything Goes’ (Anything Goes, 2004). The 6-
bar phrase contains a large amount of rhythmic dissonance, achieved by the use of rests found
in either triplet or semiquaver groupings. In the last two beats of bar 1 Mehldau starts by
leaving triplet quaver rests at the beginning of two sets of triplets. At bar 2 Mehldau reverses
the unit by placing a rest at the end of a triplet phrase, but then immediately reverts to the
original idea during beat 2 of bar 2. From bar 3 beat 2, the disjunct rhythm uses semiquaver
pairs played almost extensively on each downbeat; this is intensified during beat 3 of bar 4 by
3-semiquaver groupings, then again during the last beat of bar 4 by using a 4-semiquaver cell.
This intensity increases gradually at bar 5 as Mehldau uses 5- then 7-semiquaver groupings,
before resolving the phrase at the beginning of bar 6. In addition to the disjunct rhythm
(which can be informally described as a musical stutter) shown in Figure 26, Mehldau also
improvises against the hypermeter during this passage, as the phrase concludes two bars into
the final A of an AABA form (see Chapter 4.5 on organic dissonance).
72
Dm7
œ G7œ3 n œ œ3 œ Cœ#m73 # œ3 # œ œ Cmaj7
n œ
œ œ œ
& b 45 Œ Œ ‰ ‰ ‰‰ # œ œ n œ œ œ œ
3
3
Fmaj9
E ! m9/D !
Disjunct Rhythm
& b nœ œ œ œ œ nœ œ bœ bœ œ ≈ #œ #œ ≈ œ aœ ‰
3
B !(add9) F #Madd4 C/E Cm6/E !

bœ nœ ≈ œ œ ‰ œ nœ #œ œ œœ
b
& nœ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ n œ ≈ œ œ # œ œ ‰ œJ œ b œ n œ # œ ≈ œ œ œ
4
An example of metric asynchronicity can be found in ‘When It Rains’ (Largo, 2001).

Mehldau spells an arpeggio based on G minor over an Emaj7#11 chord at bar 1 of Figure 27.
Horizontal dissonance provided by linear tonality, and perceptual dissonance provided by
extreme tessitural range, are supplemented by temporal density (see Chapter 4.4.4) and
metric asynchronicity that lasts for 2 bars. Metric asynchronicity is created via the absence of
any tactus-aligned phrasing; it is therefore considered asynchronous.
G Minor G Minor
œœn œn œ
Metric Asynchronicity
EN œ œ
œ œ œœ . œ œœ b œ n œ# œ n œ n œ œ
#### c œœ n œn œn œn œ œœ 3 œ
3
nœ
3
3
# ≈ b œ œ
3
& œn œ œ œ
3
œœ
G7 œ n œ œ nœ œ nœ #œ œ nœ #œ œ œ #œ œ
œ œœ œœ# œ œ
3
#### œn œ
œn œ
3
& # n œn œ ‰® œ
3 3
œ nœ
Figure 27: ‘When It Rains’ – 4m50s
4.4.3. Metric Shift
As described by Yorgason (2009), metric shift is ‘a deliberate decision to reinterpret the

location of the beat, based on changes in accentual patterns, harmonic rhythm, or other
73
factors; the recasting of a weak beat as a strong one or the experiencing of a change in meter
type (p. 404). For the purposes of this exegesis metric shift (often referred to as polyrhythm)
is the perception of multiple metrical layers (Krebs, 1987), giving the impression of
concurrent meters. It describes a changing of the path of metric focus (Yorgason, 2009, p.
406). It should be noted some progressive metric theories use the term metric shift to describe
‘only the transitions to and from the state of displacement’ because after the transitions ‘all
evidence of the schematic meter disappears’ (Love, 2013, p. 48). In the case of Mehldau’s
music, I disagree with Love’s definition, as there is clear evidence of the schematic meter
played either on the piano or heard in some form by the rhythm section. Metric shift, for the
purposes of this exegesis, is any acoustically salient polyrhythmic activity, and is considered
dissonant to the referential norm.
Figure 28 shows an example of metric shift occurring at 2m59s of ‘Knives Out’ (Day Is
Done, 2005). Mehldau plays a chromatically descending 3-note motif from bar 1. This motif
is considered to be horizontally dissonant as it destabilises a sense of the C minor key centre,
but also demonstrates rhythmic dissonance via metric shift. The motif creates a dotted
crotchet pulse over several bars resulting in a ‘2 against 3’ feel. As explained in Jazz
Polyrhythms (Jones, 2006), ‘Eight dotted quarter notes, played continuously, fit into three
bars of 4/4 before the total pattern begins again’. The hypermetric norm for ‘Knives Out’ is a
4-bar phrase, so the conflict between 3 bars of a dotted crotchet pulse against a 4-bar
normative pulse creates a metric shift.
Gm7
Metric Shift
b
& b b 44 ‰ œ œ œ œ n œ œ œ #œ nœ œ nœ bœ œ #œ œ œ w
A•/E
Etc...
b bb nœ œ œ #œ œ œ nœ bœ œ œ #œ œ œ nœ bœ œ nœ œ nœ #œ œ œ ˙
&
C m7œ C m7/B !
b œ bœ œ nœ bœ œ œ œ œ œ #œ œ œ œ Ó Ó ≈ œ œ œ bœ œ œ ≈
&b b œŒ≈
Figure 28: ‘Knives Out’ – 2m59s
74
4.4.4. Temporal Density
‘Change in the temporal density of sound events involves change in the quantity of acoustic
energy per unit of time, and thus may be perceived as intensity change’ (Eitan & Granot,
2007, p. 45). Krumhansl (1996, p. 414), Farbood (2012, p. 401) and Lehne et al. (2012, p. 3)
all associate decreases in temporal density with decreasing tension. Berry (1976) reminds us
that rhythmic density (among other elements such as harmony, melody, etc.) can be perceived
as being dissonant if there is expectation for resolution to a simpler state.
The increasing frequency of inter-onset intervals increases perceived temporal tension in a

musical event. Huron (2006) refers to a period of heightened tension (through high pitches,
loud dynamic level, physical intensity) as a climax (p. 322) containing multilevel sustained
dissonances (or annoyances), creating a sense of contrastive valence. Huron states, ‘Even as
the climax reaches its most clangorous peak, experienced listeners are already anticipating
the release in tension and the sense of pleasure that will follow. The music lover rides
through the most dissonant build-ups with hopeful excitement’ (p. 326).
There is often a correlation between rising pitches, increased volume, and temporal rhythmic
density, but at this stage it is important to isolate specific entities that give rise to dissonance
(see Chapter 4.3.6: Perceptual Tonal Dissonance). Temporal density is the increasing of inter-
onset interval frequency, often evident during musical climax. Mehldau follows this
normative schema and creates densely populated sections of music. There are many examples
of this in his music, such as at 4m59s of ‘I’ll Be Seeing You’ (AOT4, 1999), where Mehldau
plays semiquavers from bar 4 to bar 6 for dissonant effect. This dissonance is resolved at bar
7 (a structural downbeat marks the beginning of the form), providing a cadential and organic
anchor (see Chapter 4.5 for organic C/D) and temporary rhythmic consonance (see Figure
29).
At this stage it may be useful to describe the D note on bar 7 beat 1 as a transformational
beat. This term was coined by Yorgason (2009) to describe ‘a crisp “corrective” beat event
that abruptly terminates any preceding metric dissonance’ (p. 410).
75
Cm7 F7 Fm7
œ œ n œ b œ œ œ# œ
b œœœ nœ
& b b c œ œ# œ n œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó ≈ œ œœœn œ ‰
3
Fm7( ! 5 ) B !7 œ b œ
œ nœ œ œ œ n œ b œ E !maj7 Temporal
œ Cm7
bb n œb œ œb œ œ # œ # œ œ œ n œ œ œ œ bœ nœ bœ œ œ
Density
& b œ œ
B !7 E!
˙. œ œ.
#œ nœ #œ
Fm7
b œ nœ
& b b bœ nœ #œ nœ nœ œ œ #œ œ œ
3
Transformational beat
Figure 29: ‘I'll Be Seeing You’ – 4m59s
4.4.5. Expressive Variation
In Hearing in Time: Psychological Aspects of Musical Meter (London, 2004), expressive

variation is defined as ‘subtle nuances involving compressions and extensions of otherwise
deadpan rhythms, what musicians might call pushing and pulling the time’ (p. 27). Rhythmic
dissonance via expressive variation is directly related to the tactus and its absolute
subdivisions, where dissonance is perceived to increase as inter-onset intervals stray from it.
Yorgason (2009) notes that expressive variation is related to ‘structural delay of beat arrivals’
(p. 128), and can be understood to be a juxtaposition of two separate metric streams; the first
being the underlying tactus and the second being the expressive variation. Aware of the
limitations of conventional music notation, and after reflecting on micro-analytical tools as
described in Micro and Micro Jazz Analysis (Bellaviti, 2005), my description of expressive
variation will be limited in this exegesis to common jazz terms such as laid back or pushed
forward. As mentioned before, the reader should refer to the original audio sources in order
to fully appreciate the analytical methods or discourse contained within this exegesis.
In ‘A Fireside Chat with Brad Mehldau’ (AAJ Staff, 2004, n.p.), Mehldau reflects, ‘I get a lot
from vocalists that I love – Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Frank Sinatra – the way they
phrase the melody. Often the mere attempt to make the piano phrase like a human voice can
point you in an expressive direction: the impossibility of achieving vocal effects on the piano
– a long sustain, vibrato, and the like – is a given, but if you have that as an ideal, you can
communicate a certain longing in your phrasing’. Mehldau uses expressive variation
76
especially in compositions with a slow tempo, such as ballads and bossanovas. Looking again
at ‘The Nearness Of You’ (Anything Goes, 2004), Mehldau not only utilises diminishing
dispersal at 3m07s but also employs expressive variation, laying back the phrase at bar 1 and
resolving the dissonance created by expressive variation at bar 2 beat 1, a transformational
beat (see Figure 30).
Heavily Laid Back
Gm7 C7 œ Am7
b œ œ D7
œ #œ œ #œ œ # œ n œ nœ bœ nœ œ ≈ œ œ
&c Œ œ b œ œœ
5
œ œ œ œ
6
Espressive Variation
Figure 30: ‘The Nearness Of You’ – 3m07s
It should be noted that most music played by musicians contains some expressive variation
by default. This can easily be ascertained by listening to music played on notational software
such as Finale or Sibelius, where the music sounds inhuman and artificial to the point where
programmers actively try to emulate rhythmical and dynamic artefacts that naturally occur in
music played by musicians. However, expressive variation for the purposes of this exegesis
pertains to the marked examples – places where the amount expressive variation is at a very
obvious level.
4.4.6. Summary of Rhythmic C/D
In this section, rhythmic C/D has been categorised into 5 types: diminishing dispersal, metric
asynchronicity, metric shift, temporal density, and expressive variation. As with the
discussions of vertical C/D and horizontal tonal C/D, each category has been exemplified by
analysing transcriptions of Mehldau’s improvisation. In terms of analysis, each form of C/D
has been described on its own terms; however, some events have been linked with other types
of C/D, alluding to a more holistic approach, which is to be discussed fully in Chapter 4.7.
4.5. Introduction to Organic C/D
Parncutt and Hair (2011) state, ‘A musical event only sounds familiar if it is similar to
previously heard events, which are also similar to each other. By analogy with our comments
on other dichotomies, we might anticipate a connection between similarity and consonance,
77
and between difference and dissonance’ (p. 138). The aim of organicism is to create ‘works
in which everything is an outgrowth of a basic idea’ (p. 138).
For Parncutt and Hair (2011), ‘Organicism gives a musical work unity… which – in the
broadest sense – could be considered an aspect of consonance. From a psychological
viewpoint, organicism can only be perceived if recent musical events are perceived to be
similar to earlier musical events that have been stored in memory’ (p. 138). Organicism
relates to melodic, harmonic and rhythmic events, and therefore organic C/D can be defined
as C/D relating to aspects of melodic, harmonic and rhythmic consistencies/discrepancies
when comparing improvisation to the composition from which it is derived. Therefore, an
organic consonance occurs when references to the melody, for example, are made during an
improvisation, and organic dissonances occur when violations of parameters like harmony
and hypermeter occur, such as a non-congruent phrase rhythm or harmonic deviation.
This chapter categorises organic C/D into four types: melodic quotes, phrase
rhythm/hypermetric dissonance, harmonic destabilisation, and harmonic repetition.
4.5.1. Melodic Quotes
In jazz performances, references to the melody during improvisation are fairly commonplace,
depending on the musician. Berliner states (1994), ‘References to the melody provide a
useful connective tissue between a solo and its respective vehicle, reaffirming the identity of
the latter and imbuing the former with special characteristics’ (p. 172).
Mehldau reflects on Thelonious Monk’s pianism in the liner notes to House on Hill (2006):
‘It’s instructive to look at the way Monk fused his writing and his improvising together. The
content of his melodies became fodder for his own solos; his solo vocabulary was not derived
from fundamentally different stuff than that of his compositions. This might seem obvious
and not worthy of mention; after all, riffing on the melody is one way in which jazz
improvisation began to flower in its early stages. Monk was onto something else, though, and
it involves the actual development of themes during his solo. By development, I mean that
the musical content unfolds with a narrative logic; each idea springs from the previous one’
(Mehldau, 2006, p. 8). Later on in the notes, Mehldau cites Monk as a source of inspiration:
‘I take my cue from his method (Monk) throughout this record to varying degrees, by
incorporating the thematic material of my tunes into my solos in a variety of ways… The
78
musical content of the initial melody becomes formal when it is used throughout the duration
of the solo. It is no mere performative utterance; it is more architectural in nature’ (p. 9).
A melodic quote can be considered an organic consonance for the purpose of this study.
Examples of this can be found throughout ‘Sky Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith)’ (Highway
Rider, 2010). As Baynes (2012) notes in relation to this track, ‘Mehldau’s improvisation
evokes a sense of relaxed maturity and stylistic confidence. Chorus one includes strong
references to the melody on a regular basis, such as measures 0, 6–7, 11, 16–18, 26–28, 32,
40–41 and 55–60’ (p. 80) (see Figure 31).
B !m7/A ! G !maj7 D !maj7/F E! 7 E !m7/D !

b Œ œ œ œœ œœ .
& b bbb c œœ
A
nœ ˙ œ œ œ ˙ œ œœ w ˙
vv
Cm7( ! 5) E !m7/B ! F 7/A D^!maj7/A ! G !maj7 D !M/F
Melody
& bbbb b ˙ œœœœ

nœ bœ œ œ œ
œ œŒŒ œ
w nœ œ ˙ œ œ œ ˙. œ
œ
E! 7 B !m7/D ! Cm7( ! 5) Eœm/B ! !
Melody
n œ œ n œ # œœ n œœ n œ b œ.
Melody
bb #œ # œ
&b b b w Œ
˙
‰ j œ n œ # œ n œ#n ¿œ
nœ
! ! D !maj7/F E! 7 E !m7/D !
F 7/A ^ ^ œ A B m7/A G !maj7
b œ œ
& b b b b œ (œ) œ œ ‰ œj ˙ ‰ œ n œ w œ œ nœ Ó Œ ‰ œ nœ œ Œ Ó
3
œ œ œ œ nœ
◊
Cm7( ! 5) E !m7/B ! G !M
Melody
F 7/A D !maj7/A ! G7alt œ œ

n œ. œb œ œb œ œ œ w
Melody
bbbb œ œ # œn œœ œ œ œ ˙ ..
3
‰ œ œ
3
& b œ œ œ n œ b œn œ œ #œ nœ J
! !
œ œF7/E ! G N/D
Melody
C7+ œ F7
b b b œ n œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰
b
& b œ œ œ nœ œ œ nœ #œ n œ J œ n œ œ œ œœœŒ Ó
3 3 3
J
F+7/C
b
& b bbb ‰ j œ œ œ
3
œ œ œ œ
Melody
Figure 31: ‘Sky Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith)’ – 1m59s
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4.5.2. Phrase Rhythm/Hypermetric Dissonance
In On Phrase Rhythm in Jazz, Love (2011) explains phrase rhythm or hypermetric C/D in the
following way: ‘every solo necessarily involves the superimposition of a grouping structure
on a metrical structure… grouping structure can support or contradict meter, creating a state
of phrase rhythm consonance or dissonance’ (p. 9). Hypermeter is defined by Yorgason
(2009) as ‘a metrical pattern that occurs at levels higher that than of the notated bar line
meter’ (p. 401).
For the purposes of this exegesis, unless otherwise specified the term hypermeter will be used
to describe the inherent sectional tendencies found in jazz standards and compositions. For
example, a 32-bar AABA jazz composition will arguably contain four hypermetric sections
of eight bars each. In all cases, melodic and harmonic considerations will be applied when
defining specific hypermetric boundaries. Love’s research into phrase rhythm also proves
helpful when phrase boundaries are fuzzy because his clearly defined parameters assist in
determining what constitutes a phrase.
In ‘Anything Goes’ (Anything Goes, 2004), Mehldau uses hypermetric dissonance in the
‘BA’ part of an AABA 32-bar form (see Figure 32). At 4m22s Mehldau plays a phrase using
a disjunct rhythm (see Chapter 4.4.2); the phrase is extended past the hypermetric boundary
at the end of B (bar 4 of Figure 32) and finally concludes 2 bars later at bar 6, two bars into
the final A section.
G7
Dm7
œ œ3 n œ œ3 œ Cœ#m73 # œ œ œ # œ Cmaj7
œ # œ œ n œ
& b 45 œ nœ œ œ
3
œ Œ Œ ‰ ‰ ‰‰ œ
3 3
Fmaj9 E ! m9/D ! B !(add9) F #Madd4

œ
& b œ œ œ œ œ œ œ bœ bœ œ ≈ bœ bœ ≈ œ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ œ bœ œ ≈ œ œ ‰ œ nœ #œ
3
Cm6/E !
End of hypermeter
A3 C/E Gm7/C
œ œ #œ œ œ œ œ œ bœ nœ #œ œ Dm7
œ œ œ3 œ Œ Œ
&b ≈ ‰ J œœ œ œ œ œ
Hypermetric Dissonance
End of phrase
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4.5.3. Harmonic Destabilisation
In Dynamic Consonances in Tonal Piano Jazz, McGowan (2005) discusses harmonic

destabilisation as follows: ‘The chord progressions, harmonic rhythm, and formal structures
of the popular songs used in tonal jazz are not only simple, predictable, and periodic, but also
constantly repeated with little harmonic development in choruses... harmonic interest, in
“magical” performances, is directed to sonorities, improvisational strategies of chordal
substitution and interpolation, and the ebb and flow of intensity. With the analysis of
harmonic function in jazz, the question asked is not “what of the myriad harmonic
possibilities will happen next?” but rather “will the harmony that I expect to happen actually
occur?”’ (p. 163). As discussed earlier, in his interview with Milkowski (1998), Mehldau
describes how he sometimes discards the harmonic structure during an improvisation. The
organic dissonance created through harmonic destabilisation from the schematic norm is
particularly effective during climactic periods; however, Mehldau utilises both harmonic
interpolation and reharmonisation throughout. For normative methods of harmonic
destabilisation see Ligon (2001), Johnson-Laird (2002), and Liebman (2005).
In ‘Blame It On My Youth’ (AOT1, 1996), Mehldau replaces a dominant Eb7 chord with its
tritone partner, A7. This is preceded by Em7, the relative II chord to A7, and is a common
form of harmonic interpolation (see Figure 33).
Em7 A7
B !m7 nœ #œ œ bœ œ bœ œ nœ bœ nœ bœ
œ bœ œ
b
&b bc ‰ . ® œRÔ ® nœ œ bœ nœ bœ
5
bœ
A !maj7
B !7
Tritone Substitution replacing Eflat7 with Em7-A7
bb œ œ œ œ
& b œ œ œ œ bœ nœ Œ
œ œ œ œ
Figure 33: ‘Blame It On My Youth’ – 5m12s
Perhaps a more original reharmonisation is demonstrated in Figure 34, 3m27s into ‘I Fall In
Love Too Easily’ (AOT1, 1996). In this example Mehldau plays a II–V–I in Eb major, using
a minor II-V; however, a Bmaj7#5 has been substituted for the Fm7b5 using common-tone
methods and this descends a tone to Amaj7#5. Parallel motion in this way provides a strong
harmonic motivation but also serves as functional harmony as an Amaj7#5 is also a common-
81
tone substitution for F7alt. The resulting harmonic framework is now much easier to
understand: Fm7b5 – F7 (secondary dominant function) – Bb7alt – Ebmaj7.
Fm7( ! 5) F7 B 7alt !
#œ # œ œ n œ œ #œ nœ bœ bœ
&c ‰ œ bœ bœ bœ œ
E !maj7
(Bmaj7#5 Substitution) (Amaj7#5 Substitution)
œ œ bœ bœ œ œ œ œ
& #œ œ œ bœ œ œ bœ
(D major substitution / E Flat Diminshed Major 7)
Figure 34: ‘I Fall In Love Too Easily’ – 3m27s
Also in ‘Blame It On My Youth’, at 3m48s Mehldau plays a form of harmonic imposition

derived from a sidestep modulation. Figure 35 contains a II–V–I cadence in Eb major. The
real point of difference that this phrase contains is the use of bIIIm7-bVII7 as a harmonic
imposition, as it is a II-V in the sidestepped key of E major.
F7
F7sus B !7sus n œ #œ œ œ nœ œ bœ œ
b œ œ œ œ n œ bœ œ bœ œ # œ
&b bc œ œœœ œœœ œ œ œ nœ œ nœ
3
E !maj7 Cm7
(F#m7 - B7 substitution)
b œ nœ œ œ ≈ b œ œ œ œ. œ œ
&b b ® œ œ œ ≈ œ œ
Figure 35: ‘Blame It On My Youth’ – 3m48s
At 8m30s of ‘River Man’ (AOT5, 2001), Mehldau substitutes a harmonic progression over
static changes of C major (see Figure 36). At bar 1 beat 3, he plays D major then E major
triads. At bar 1 beat 4 he plays an Aadd11 then Dadd11 at beat 5. Mehldau plays a G major
triad at bar 2 beat 1 before resolving to C major. The resulting harmonic progression is C-D-
E-A-D-G-C, fundamentally a cyclical progression derived from ascending stepwise
movement from the tonic C to E.
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Cmaj7
œ œ œ œ œ
Dmaj Emaj
œ nœ #œ œ #œ œ 3 œ nœ
Amaj Dmaj
bœ œ bœ
Cmin
& 45 œ œ
3
œ
#œ n œœ œœ # œœ œœ œœ .. œœ
? 45 # œœ œ œ
œœ
œ œ
œ # œ
œ
Cm7
œœ ≈œ œœœ ≈œ œ œ œ . bœ œ #œ œ œ # œ œ œ œ3 œ œ œ3 œ œ œ œ
& œ œ
? œœœ œœœ œœ œœ b œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ b œœœœ œœœœ
3
œ œ ‰ J Œ b
J J
Figure 36: ‘River Man’ – 8m30s
4.5.4. Harmonic Repetition
Meyer (1956) notes that ‘a figure which is repeated over and over again arouses a strong
expectation of change both because continuation is inhibited and because the figure is not
allowed to reach completion. Our expectation of change and our complete willingness to go
along with the composer in this apparently meaningless repetition are also products of our
beliefs in the purposefulness of art and the serious intentions, the integrity, of the composer.
We believe that he will bring about a change’ (p. 135). Meyer stresses here the importance of
repetition. In terms of organic C/D, repetition is limited to harmony only, and for the purpose
of categorisation, melodic repetition, for example motif, is a consonant element of horizontal
C/D, not organic C/D. This is because a harmonic C/D is considered to have a greater impact
on the structural integrity of form.
Mehldau often employs harmonic repetition. Simply put, he creates and sustains a harmonic
vamp at the end of a composition, or sometimes for the entire duration of a piece. Meyer
(1956) states, ‘as the repeated figure becomes the center of attention, the listener will begin to
expect changes to take place… if the figure remains stable or is subjected to only minor
variations, saturation may set in’ (p. 137). Meyer is referring to two game plans in relation to
repetition, and Mehldau uses both. First, Mehldau creates a vamp close to the end of a
musical performance, based on a simple repeated chord sequence. The chord sequence,
initially intended to be the focus, is repeated without much change. Second, as saturation
begins to set in (Meyer, 1956, p. 135), Mehldau then begins to improvise, often building
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dissonance to climatic heights. It is important to briefly note that the creation of a vamp at the
end of a work also breaks the schematic norm; this in itself creates a brief organic dissonance,
which, in turn, gives the new vamp, established via repetition, a positive valence (see Chapter
4.6 on contrastive valence).
Important performances containing outro vamps include ‘Secret Beach’ (Live, 2008) at
6m09s, ‘Lilac Wine’ (Live in Marciac, 2011) at 5m22s, and ‘Highway Rider’ (Highway
Rider, 2010) at 5m15s. Important performances where Mehldau uses simple repetitive vamps
to form part of a composition and/or improvisation are ‘29 Palms’ (Places, 2000) at 2m36s,
‘Jam’ (Where Do You Start, 2012) throughout and ‘Dusty McNugget’ (Largo, 2001) at
3m57s. Mehldau also favours harmonic vamps when choosing pop compositions as vehicles
for improvisation. Seminal performances include ‘River Man’ (AOT5, 2001), ‘Dear
Prudence’ (Largo, 2001), ‘Wonderwall’ (Live, 2008) at 2m08s. Finally, vamps can be heard
in standards such as ‘Anything Goes’ (Anything Goes, 2004) at 6m13s and ‘Someone To
Watch Over Me’ (Live In Tokyo, 2004) at 5m18s . Table 10 lists the harmonic progressions of
some of these vamps.
Table 10: Vamps
Track Name Harmonic Progression of Vamp

Secret Beach Fmaj7 | Cmaj7/G | Fmaj7 | Cmaj7/G | Fmaj7 Cmaj7/G
| Amaj7 | Cmaj7/G
Lilac Wine D | D/C | G/B | Gm7/Bb
29 Palms C Cmaj7 | Cm7 F/C
Jam Gb | D
Dusty McNugget F | Dm7b5/E | Dm7b5 | Dm7b5/E
River Man Cm7 | Eb7 | Abmaj7 | Cmaj7
Dear Prudence F | Bb | B | E
Anything Goes Fmaj7 | Dbmaj7 | Bbmaj7 | Gbmaj7
Someone To Watch Over Me Bm7 | Dm7 | Amaj7 C#7 | F#7 | F#7
4.5.5. Summary of Organic C/D
This section has categorised organic C/D into four types: melodic quotes, phrase
rhythm/hypermetric dissonance, harmonic destabilisation, and harmonic repetition, and
84
provided examples of C/D that either support or violate the organic strophe. Elements that
support the strophe, such as a quote from the melody of the head at the appropriate time and
harmonic repetition, are considered to be organically consonant. Elements that violate the
strophe such as hypermetric dissonance and harmonic destabilisation are considered to be
organically dissonant.
4.6. Introduction to Cultural C/D
Cazden (1980) observes that ‘like a verbal language… a music system arises and develops
during the history of a music culture, using the term culture in its anthropological sense. The
expectations involved in recognising and responding to consonant and dissonant moments
thus become embedded in the systemic set, in the built-in complex of familiar forms,
normative expectations and habits that are common to members of a given human society
during a definable historical period… Musical consonance and dissonance therefore arise, not
from nature, but from second nature. Specifically, consonant and dissonant moments function
within the framework of the tonal Western music of recent centuries. There they evoke
standard and predictable conditioned responses, among people nurtured within that system of
music-making, in the same way as they become acculturated to speaking and understanding
their native language’ (p. 159). For the purposes of this exegesis, the word ‘cultural’ refers to
the acoustic properties found within the normative culture of jazz improvisation and is not
used in an ethno-musicological sense.
Parncutt and Hair (2011) note that ‘from a psychological perspective, cultural context is
essentially a matter of familiarity (p. 146). Terms such as conditioned (Cazden) and
familiarity (Parncutt and Hair) assist in defining cultural C/D for this study, but it is important
to emphasise again that cultural C/D here refers to normative idiomatic jazz practices and is
not related to ethnological studies on culture. Perhaps the clearest way to define cultural C/D
is ‘acoustically stylistic familiarity’ pertaining to 1940s bop and 1950s post-bop jazz. It is not
within the scope of this study to debate what defines jazz style (nor the substyles found
within it) per se; it is tacitly assumed that the reader is familiar with such devices including
(but not limited to) bebop vocabulary, harmonic upper-structure, modes derived from blues,
melodic minor, harmonic minor, pentatonic, hexatonic, and octatonic sonorities, etc.
Mehldau employs devices that are considered commonplace within the ‘acoustic culture’ of
jazz improvisation. He is also well known for assimilating other styles into his
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improvisations. As noted earlier, Mehldau has stated, ‘I draw on a lot of classical music, pop
and rock music, music from Brazil, and other stuff. I listen to it for pleasure and enjoyment,
and then a lot of it filters out in my playing. With classical music, there’s a written canon
there – you can study those scores. There’s a good three centuries of stuff to check out – it’s
endless. Ultimately I think of myself as an improvising jazz musician at the end of the day,
and one of my talents I guess is assimilating all of that written stuff and making it part of
what I do’ (quoted in Vella, 2011, n.p.).
By considering aspects of cultural relationships it is possible to then consider improvisation

as being either situated within or markedly different from the cultural norm. For example,
improvisations from bebop pioneer Charlie Parker can be described as containing vast
amounts of cultural consonance (containing CMAR licks, 3-b9, diminished runs, enclosures,
etc.), whereas modern improvisers The Bad Plus display hardly any (although they are most
likely aware of cultural norms, they play with little regard to ‘the tradition’).
Mehldau’s earlier works certainly contain cultural consonance. He reflects, ‘When I came off
the road I remember musicians like [guitarist] Peter Bernstein and other musical peers saying,
“It sounds like you found something that’s more you, sort of your own style.” Because up
until that point, the very broad two schools of influences were Wynton Kelly, sort of a hard
bop approach that I just love and still do, and then more of a McCoy Tyner kind of thing…
and I remember consciously thinking about it. I would think to myself when I was freelancing
around New York, “Well, on this gig I did more of a McCoy thing and then on the next gig
with Jimmy Cobb I did more of a Wynton Kelly thing. What’s going on here? Where am I in
all this?” And I think somehow after that gig with Chris Holliday I found a way of bringing
those two things together and assimilating them and then starting to find myself in all of that’
(quoted in Milkowski, p. 3).
After analysing many of Mehldau’s solos, I was able to conclude that the amount of cultural
consonance varies from solo to solo and that therefore cultural C/D is a useful analytical tool.
This section exemplifies the ways that Mehldau uses cultural C/D, which is divided into five
types: blues, quotes, crips, and formulaic improvisation (all of which pertain to consonance),
and cultural dissonance.
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4.6.1. Blues
Mehldau uses blues-like phrases as a cultural consonance often (but not exclusively) to
dissipate other forms of dissonances (see Chapter 4.7 on contrastive valence). Two types of
blues scales are found within the culture of jazz improvisation (see Table 11): the major blues
scale derived from the major pentatonic scale, and the minor blues scale derived from the
minor pentatonic scale (see Ligon, 2001, p. 63).
Table 11: Major and Minor Blues Scales
C Major Pentatonic Scale C-D-E-G-A

C Major Blues Scale C - D - Eb - E - G - A
C Minor Pentatonic Scale C - Eb - F - G - Bb
C Minor Blues Scale C - Eb - F - F# - G - Bb
An example of a minor blues cliché can be found in the opening improvisational gambit in
‘Kurt Vibe’ (Ode, 2012) at 1m34s. Mehldau plays a blues passage starting on bar 1 beat 4
over an Ab7#9/C chord (see Figure 37). The notes are A - Bb - A - Ab - F# - Eb - Gb, all
found within the tonic blues of Eb minor.
D7 # 11¸ A !7#9/C B7 # 11 E !7/B !

b bb c j œ nœ œ #œ Œ Œ nœ bœ œ bœ #œ œ bœ Œ Ó
& #œ
3
Eflat minor blues scale
Figure 37: ‘Kurt Vibe’ – 1m34s
4.6.2. Quotations
Berliner (1994) notes that ‘primary materials for the jazz artist’s vocabulary also include
excerpts of jazz pieces, popular songs, Western classical compositions, and compositions
from other musical traditions that appeal to a soloist’ (p. 103). Mehldau primarily quotes
from what is known as The Great American Songbook, a collection of compositions written
for musical theatre and made popular primarily during the first half of the 20th century.
Mehldau also quotes from other jazz and pop artists such as Thelonious Monk, Charles
Mingus, Stevie Wonder, and The Beatles. Additionally, some of Mehldau’s quotes are self-
87
referential, alluding to his own compositions. All such quotes are considered to be culturally
consonant (see Table 12).
Table 12: Quotations
Quotations
‘Angst’ (Mehldau) quoted at the end of ‘My Romance’, Introducing Brad Mehldau, 1995
‘Cry Me A River’ quoted (2m38s) on a ‘Prelude To A Kiss’, Introducing Brad Mehldau,
1995
‘Blame It On My Youth’ quoted (3m20s) on ‘I Fall In Love Too Easily’, AOT1, 1997
‘Misterioso’ (Monk) quoted (9m03s) on ‘Monk’s Dream,’ AOT2, 1998
‘Peanut Vendor’ (5m13s) and ‘Misterioso’ (Monk) (9m) quoted on ‘The Way You Look
Tonight’, AOT2, 1998
‘My Romance’ (3m) quoted on ‘Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered’, AOT3, 1998
‘My Favourite Things’ (12m51s) quoted on ‘All The Things You Are’, AOT4, 1999
‘All the Things You Are’ (3m46s) quoted on ‘Solar’, AOT4, 1999
‘Sleigh Ride’ (Leroy Anderson) (5m13s) quoted on ‘The Folks Who Live On The Hill’,
AOT5, 2001
‘Cry Me A River’ (7m24s) quoted on ‘Secret Love’, AOT5, 2001
‘It’s Alright With Me’ (3m42s) quoted on ‘Memory’s Tricks’, Elegiac Cycle, 1999
‘Resignation’ (Mehldau) (5m16s and 7m06s) quoted on ‘Ruckblick’, Elegiac Cycle, 1999
‘Sublation’ (Mehldau) (2m57s) and ‘Summertime’ (3m31s) quoted on ‘Madrid’, Places,
2000
‘It Ain’t Necessarily So’ (1m34s) quoted on ‘You’re Vibing Me’, Largo, 2004
‘Blue And Green’ (1m56s) quoted on ‘Alvarado’, Largo, 2004
‘I Loves You Porgy’ (3m34s) quoted on ‘I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face’, Anything
Goes, 2004
‘Blame It On My Youth’ (5m29s) quoted on ‘Someone To Watch Over Me’, Live in Tokyo,
2004
‘Sunny Side Of The Street’ (1m48s) and ‘Peanuts’ (Mingus) (3m03s) quoted on ‘Monk’s
Dream’, Live in Tokyo, 2004
‘Martha My Dear’ (The Beatles) (11m20s) quoted on ‘Paranoid Android’, Live in Tokyo,
2004
‘Peanuts’ (4m07s) quoted on No Moon at all, Day is Done, 2005
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‘Fascinating Rhythm’ (3m50s) quoted on ‘Fear And Trembling’, House on Hill, 2006
‘Fascinating Rhythm’ (1m43s and 2m32s) quoted on ‘Ruby’s Rub’, Live, 2008
‘Misterioso’ (Monk) (3m38s) quoted on ‘B-Flat Waltz’, Live, 2006
‘Cry Me A River’ (4m11s) quoted on ‘The Very Thought Of You’, Live, 2006
‘Misterioso’ (Monk) (57s) quoted on ‘Buddha Realm’, Live, 2006
‘Sir Duke’ (Stevie Wonder) (5m02s) and ‘Misterioso’ (9m02s) quoted on ‘C.T.A’, Live, 2006
‘Sugar’ (2m24s) quoted on ‘Dat Dere’, Live in Marciac, 2011
4.6.3. Crips
Berliner (1994) states, ‘Veterans refer to the discrete patterns in their repertory storehouses as
vocabulary, ideas, licks, tricks, pet patterns, crips, clichés, and, in the most functional
language, things you can do. As a basic musical utterance, a thing you can do commonly
involves a 1–4-measure phrase. Depending on the artist’s treatment of material, however, an
idea or crip can range from such simple formulations as a sustained or repeated pitch, or a
short rhythmic figure reminiscent of those of early jazz solos, to an elaborate melodic phrase
characteristic of later performance styles’ (p. 102). In an interview with scholar Kirstin
Mackenzie, Mehldau reflects on his own ‘repertory storehouse’: ‘I never pre-conceive my
solos ahead of time. But of course there’s a whole library of melodies etc.… in my head
that’s stored away, and on a less inspired night, I’m more aware of that library; it’s like, “Oh
yeah, there’s that again”’ (quoted in Mackenzie, 2003).
The following presents a selection of the crips that Mehldau has in his employ; it is certainly
not an exhaustive list, but it does illustrate Mehldau’s use of this device. Crips are considered
a cultural consonant. All examples of cultural C/D will be included in the case studies
(Chapter 5).
1. Possibly the most common crip that Mehldau uses (it is found in 47% of the tracks
analysed for this exegesis) has been defined by Page (2009) as a closing signal occurring as a
downbeat event, often consisting of two consecutive crotchets or quavers. Page explains,
‘these closing signals… are not heard as something that moves the music forward; rather,
they are binding points that remind the listener where the music has come from’ (p. 36). I
prefer to describe these rhythmically consonant detached closing signals as 'stabs'.
In the opening statement of the piano solo in 'Unrequited' (AOT3, 1998), Mehldau plays a set
of 3 stabs (B-E-E) in bar 1 beats 1-3, another set of two syncopated stabs (A-A) in bar 3 beat
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2, and finally a pair of stabs (G-G) bar 5 beat 2. Each set of stabs provides phrase closure, and
in this particular example Mehldau treats the stabs as a kind of motivic end point, utilising
repetition for positive valence and rhythmic variety for contrast (see Figure 38).
Em7 Cmaj7
# œ œ œ œ
& c œ œ œ Œ ∑
?#c œœœ œœœ œœ. œœ

Ó ∑ ‰ ‰ ‰ ‰
Stabs (closing signal)
Am7 B• Cm7
# j
#œ œ œ œ nœ ‰ œ Œ œ.
Stabs
& Ó œ bœ œ œ Ó
. .
. b œœ b œœœ
?# #œ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰
3
∑ Œ œ Ó
3 Stabs
Figure 38: ‘Unrequited’ – 2m48s
A sample of other occasions where Mehldau uses stabs is given in Table 13.
Table 13: Stabs
Track Name Album Stabs
It Might As Well Be Spring Introducing Brad Mehldau 2m30s, 4m12s

Blame It On My Youth AOT1 3m23s, 3m28s,
I Didn’t Know What Time It Was AOT1 2m29s, 4m48s
It’s Alright With Me AOT2 2m44s
Young And Foolish AOT2 3m43s, 4m36s
At A Loss AOT3 2m40s, 2m51s, 4m44s
Resignation Elegiac Cycle 1m36s, 1m44s, 2m11s
Nice Pass AOT4 48s, 1m48s, 5m55s
Madrid Places 1m18s, 1m36s,

2m02s, 3m09s, 4m05s
The Folks Who Live On The Hill AOT5 3m48s, 4m58s
When It Rains Largo 2m11s2m22s, 2m47s,
90
4m10s
Tres Palabras Anything Goes 1m30s, 2m12s
Knives Out Day Is Done 2m33s, 3m22s
House On Hill House on Hill 2m40s, 3m09s,
3m21s, 3m33s
Wonderwall Brad Mehldau Trio Live 4m30s
The Very Thought Of You Brad Mehldau Trio Live 3m35s, 5m09s
Buddha Realm Brad Mehldau Trio Live 51s, 2m03s
C.T.A Brad Mehldau Trio Live 8m22s
More Than You Know Brad Mehldau Trio Live 3m29s
Countdown Brad Mehldau Trio Live 4m34s, 5m03s
2. Mehldau uses a chromatic crip such as the one found at 1m52s of ‘River Man’ (AOT5,
2001). The crip starts with a descending chromatic passage that acts as a prefix to a
descending arpeggio (see Figure 39). This chromatic crip also acts as a closing signal.
A !maj7 Cmaj7
& 45 ‰ . œR b œ œ b œ b œ n ˙
Chromatic Crip
Œ bœ Œ Œ j nœ
#œ
Chromatic Approach
Dflat minor
An almost identical phrase can be found at 2m52s (see Figure 40) of ‘Prelude To A Kiss’
(Introducing Brad Mehldau, 1995).
Chromatic crip
Dm7 G7 C
& 12
8 œ
œ œ œ. ‰ ® œ bœ œ bœ œ bœ œ bœ
bœ œ
Chrom. App.
D Flat Major
Figure 40: ‘Prelude To A Kiss’ – 2m52s
91
3. Mehldau embellishes a major triad with lower neighbour notes (both chromatic and
diatonic) in a crip that can be found at 2m56s of ‘Boomer’ (House On Hill, 2006) (see Figure
41). Other examples of the same phrase can be heard at 2m45s of ‘Wonderwall’ (Live, 2008),
16m16s of ‘Nice Pass’ (AOT4, 1999), 3m50s of ‘Resignation’ (AOT5, 2001) and 3m34s of
‘West Hartford’ (Places, 2000).
E C #m7 œ
#œ œ œ #œ œ
& 47 Œ ‰ œ #œ J œ #œ
J
C #7 Cm7 F7 B!
Lnt Lnt
#œ #œ #œ œ œ nœ #œ nœ bœ nœ œ
& J J œ œ œ
Lnt Lnt
Figure 41: ‘Boomer’ – 2m56s
4. The next example can be heard at 3m20s and 3m49s of ‘Bewitched, Bothered And
Bewildered’ (AOT3, 1998), 3m15s of ‘River Man’ (AOT3, 1998), and 4m21s of ‘Song-Song’
(AOT3, 1998), and consists of a descending arpeggiated figure suffixed by a repeated note
playing a dactylic rhythmic grouping (see Meyer, 1956, p. 107) (see Figures 42–45).
A7 œ #œ œ œ
œ œ bœ
&c Ó ‰ ® œ œ bœ #œ
Dm11
#œ œ
œ œ #œ œ œ œ œ
Crip
œ œ œ œ œ nœ ‰ Œ
&
3 3
Figure 42: ‘Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered’ – 3m20s
92
A7 √œ
œ bœ œ bœ œ nœ œ bœ œ
&c Œ Œ ‰ ≈ #œ
3
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ #œ œ œ œ nœ .
Dm11
œ
& #œ nœ ®
3
œ œ
5 Crip
Figure 43: ‘Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered’ – 3m49s
E !7 b œ œ bœ œ œ œ œ
5 ≈ b œ œ bœ œ œ #œ œ œ .
&4 œ
Crip
Figure 44: ‘River Man’- 3m15s
C E7
b œ bœ œ œ œ
3 bœ bœ nœ œ ‰ J
& 4 Œ Œ ≈ œ bœ
Am7 œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ #œ
D7
œœ
(Laid Back) Crip
& œ ˙
Figure 45: ‘Song-Song’ – 4m21s
5. A similar crip can be found at 5m24s of ‘Exit Music (For A Film)’ (AOT4, 1999), 8m55s
of ‘River Man’ (AOT5, 2001), 5m09s of ‘London Blues’ (AOT4, 1999), 16m16s of ‘Nice
Pass’ (AOT4, 1999), and 3m50s of ‘Resignation’ (AOT5, 2001). This crip is built on either a
descending arpeggio or descending scale, prefixed by spondaic rhythmical grouping (see
Figures 46 and 47).
93
Bm œ3 œ œ C #7 œœ œœ œœ3 œ œ œ œ3 œ œ
## 4 œ œ œ œ œ
& 4 ≈ Œ Ó Œ ‰ ≈ ® RÔ
F# 7 œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ G œ . œ . nœ œ œ œ œ œ
Crip
# œ≈ ≈J
& # Œ
Figure 46: ‘Exit Music (For A Film)’ – 5m24s
Crip
E !7 # œœ œœ œœ3 œ b œ 3 œ
œ # œœ œœœ œ
œœ n œ œ
3
3
5 J ‰ J ‰
3
&4 ‰ J ‰
b œœ3 b ˙˙ œœ 3 œœ
? 45 ‰ œJ ‰ ˙ œ ‰ œ
J J Œ
6. Finally, a similar crip is found at 3m13s of ‘Dear Prudence’ (Largo, 2002), 7m11s of
‘She’s Leaving Home’ (Day Is Done, 2005), and 4m05s of ‘Goodbye Storyteller’ (Live in
Marciac, 2011). The crip consists of a rising melody (or compound melody; see Pankhurst,
n.d.) followed by a descending arpeggio (see Figures 48 and 49).
F
œ #œ #œ
& 44 Ó œ œ bœ œ
B! œ œ #œ œ #œ œ
Crip
œ œ œ œ œ œ
& œ œ
Figure 48: ‘Dear Prudence’ – 3m13s
94
F #m/B
# ## 3 œ œ œ œ nœ œ
& # 4 nœ nœ
8
F
#### nœ nœ œ œ œ œ
Crip
& œ nœ
8
G #11
...repeated
#### nœ
8
& œ #œ œ œ œ nœ
3 œ
...repeated
Figure 49: ‘She’s Leaving Home’ – 7m11s
4.6.4. Formulaic Improvisation
In the entry for ‘Improvisation’ in Grove Music Online, Nettl et al. (n.d.) define formulaic
improvisation as ‘the principal manifestation of the fragmentary idea… This is the most
common kind of improvisation in jazz… the essence of formulaic improvisation is that the
formulae used do not call attention to themselves, but are artfully hidden, through variation,
in the improvised lines’ (n.p.). Charlie Parker is identified by the authors as the quintessential
formulaic improviser, utilising around 100 fragments that he worked and reworked.
It is not within the scope of this study to define normative use of formulaic improvisation; it
is tacitly assumed that the reader will be suitably versed in improvisational devices including
(but not limited to) CMAR, CESH, 3-b9, enclosure, triad pairing, upper structure, diminished
scales, modes from melodic and harmonic minor, pentatonics, quartal improvisation, and 4-
note groupings. For the purposes of this exegesis formulaic improvisation describes parts of
the jazz language/tradition that aren’t markedly different (such as blues, quotes and crips) and
can be considered a cultural consonant.
An example of 4-note grouping is found at 3m34s of ‘Lithium’ (Live in Marciac, 2011);

groupings include (from bar 3 of excerpt) 5-4-1-5, 3-1-2-5, 3-1-2-4, 3-2-1-b7, 1-5-1-3, 5-3-4-
6, etc. (see Figure 50).
95
4-note grouping
Cmaj7
&c Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ
& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ bœ
œ œ
◊
Amaj7
& œ #œ œ œ œ #œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ #œ œ #œ
(◊)
& #œ œ ‰ j
œ œ œ œ œ w
Figure 50: ‘Lithium’ -3m34s
Many formulaic devices can be found at 2m36s of ‘I’ll Be Seeing You’ (AOT4, 1999).
Mehldau uses chromaticism, secondary dominant superimposition, super Locrian mode, and
chromatic approach notes to create a II–V–I line in Eb major. This line starts on the eleventh
of Fm7, Bb, ascends chromatically to C, then forms an arpeggio, C- Eb-Gb, spelling part of
an F7b9 chord, which has been superimposed on Fm7. The second bar contains a descending
line using Bb7 super Locrian tonality that resolves to Eb major just before bar 3 (see Figure
51).
Fm7 B !+7 E !maj7

b bœ œ œ bœ
œ nœ œ œ œœ œ b œ bœ nœ
3
&b bc œb œ
œ bœ nœ bœ œ b œ n œ
œ
Chrom. Flat 9th #11th Ch. App.
B Flat Altered Scale
Implies F7b9
(ch. App.)
Figure 51: ‘I'll Be Seeing You’- 2m36s
96
4.6.5. Cultural Dissonance
Cultural dissonance, as the inverse of cultural consonance, can be defined as any marked
sonority (Hatten, 1994) that isn’t associated with the jazz tradition. In an interview with jazz
writer Ted Panken, Mehldau reflects, ‘I was around 22, maybe four years in New York, and
for whatever reason, I started rediscovering classical music with deep pleasure. What I did,
what I’m still doing now, as I did with jazz for a long time, I absorbed-absorbed-absorbed. I
went on a buying frenzy to absorb a lot of music’ (Melhdau, quoted in Panken, 2008, p. 6).
Mehldau has gained much acclaim in the jazz world for the fusion of styles he displays, and
an active listening of Mehldau’s oeuvre clearly reveals this aspect of his performance. His
classical stylistic bent, for example, is well documented by critics, scholars, and Mehldau
himself.
A clear example of cultural dissonance can be seen in the comping style during the first
chorus of ‘Ode’ (Ode, 2012). For the first 10 bars Mehldau comps using mainly triads based
on repeated quavers (see Figure 52); during bars 22–26 he comps using simple triads (see
Figure 53). In this case, a disregard of the normative use of colour notes in Mehldau’s
harmony can be considered a cultural dissonance.
Bm7 E7
### œœ w ˙ ..
& c œœ ˙ œœœ
? ### c ‰ ‰ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ ‰ œœœ œœœ ‰ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ ‰‰ œœœ
Culturally Dissonant Comping
J J J J J
Dmaj7
### Amaj7 œ w
& ∑ Ó .. œœ ˙ .. ≈ R
œœ œœ œœœ œœœ
? ### ‰œœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ ‰ œœœ ‰ œœœ ‰ œœœ œœœ ‰œœœœœœ œœœœœœ
J J J
Figure 52: ‘Ode’ – 2m
97
Dmaj7
###
& c Ó bœ
nœ bœ nœ œ nœ œ nœ œ bœ œ œ œ nœ bœ nœ #œ œ œ œ
? ### c œ œ œ œ ˙˙˙ ...
‰ œœJ ‰ œœJ ‰ œœJ ‰ œœJ Œ
Culturally Dissonant Comping
### A/E
œ bœ œ nœ nœ bœ bœ nœ œ œ #œ œ œ
& œ œ œ œ #œ œ
œ œ œ œ œœœœ œœ nœ
? # # # ˙˙˙ ˙˙˙ www
### œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ B7
& œœ œ œ œ . œ œ œ #œ œ œ œ œ ∑
œ
? # # # www ˙.
Œ # ˙˙ ..
œ œ ˙
‰ œœ ‰ # œœ ˙˙
J J
Figure 53: ‘Ode’ – 2m37s
4.6.6. Summary of Cultural C/D
This section has categorised cultural C/D into 5 types: blues, quotations, crips, formulaic
improvisation, and cultural dissonance. Any sonority that follows normative jazz practices is
considered a cultural consonance (e.g. blues, quotations, crips, enclosure, CMAR), and any
marked occurrence of a distinctive cultural disparity is a cultural dissonance. It can be tacitly
assumed that over time, certain devices that were once culturally dissonant, through repetition
would naturally become culturally consonant, if adopted by the ‘mainstream’ improvising
collective. An example of this is the use of odd time signatures. Before the groundbreaking
album Time Out (Brubeck, 1959) this was an anomaly but it is now commonly adopted by
arrangers and composers. This can also be said for certain dissonances such as a b9 over a
minor/major chord, which is a dissonance for the purpose of this exegesis, and in general it is
not commonplace in mainstream jazz. However, certain jazz artists – Kurt Rosenwinkel,
Chris Potter, and Mark Turner to name but a few– have made names for themselves with the
use of unconventional dissonances such as this.
98
4.7. Introduction to Holistic Examples/Contrastive Valence
Thus far we have examined individual sonorities and assessed these using terms relating to
consonance and dissonance. C/D events have been divided into five categories: vertical,
horizontal, rhythmic, organic and cultural C/D. These categories form the foundations of the
analytical model developed in this exegesis to examine perceived motivation in Mehldau’s
performances. Before examining entire solos, which is the work of Chapter 5, it is important
to demonstrate how Mehldau fuses elements of C/D together to create a holistic musical
performance. This section examines some of the ways in which Mehldau explores C/D on a
spatiotemporal plane. Analysis will be limited to the terms related to C/D defined at the start
of the chapter, and references to the field of cognitive psychology will help to elucidate
perceived motivation. Parncutt and Hair (2011) note that ‘in many traditions of compositional
practice, C/D refers not only to a single sonority or interval, but also to a whole passage or
piece. Consonance tends to prevail over dissonance, which provides a foil to consonance and
is catalytic in creating a (metaphorical) sense of motion’ (p. 126).
Huron (2006) defines this metaphorical sense of motion as ‘contrastive valence’, as ‘a

conjecture that the hedonic value of an experience is amplified when preceded by a
contrasting hedonic state’ (p. 412). Huron argues that pleasure can be experienced from
music containing contrast: ‘I have suggested that the pleasure associated with these responses
arises from limbic contrast – a phenomenon I’ve called contrastive valence. Pleasure is
increased when a positive response follows a negative response. While surprise is
biologically bad, surprise nevertheless plays a pivotal role in human emotional experience.
Surprise acts as an emotional amplifier’ (p. 39).
By analysing Mehldau’s improvisation it is possible to observe dissonances that, when

combined, align with Huron’s (2006) model of contrastive valence. Mehldau creates (1)
phrases, and (2) musical climaxes, by combining different types of consonance and
dissonance. The first half of Table 14 exemplifies likely C/D combinations, and the second
half provides specific examples found in Mehldau’s oeuvre. The remainder of this chapter
discusses examples from Table 14 (including a section detailing potential problems with
classification), in order to further develop the C/D analytical model. Chapter 5 contains case
studies that analyse complete solos in depth, and Chapter 6 shows how the model can be used
to create phrases and solos unique to each performer – solos that adhere to a model of holistic
C/D.
99
Table 14: Types of Contrastive Valence
Type of Contrastive Valence Holistic C/D

Examples of Crafted Surprises Vertical Dissonance ￫ Horizontal Dissonance
￫ Horizontal Consonance
Rhythmic Dissonance (diminishing
dispersal/disjunct rhythm) ￫ Rhythmic
Consonance
Climactic Example Vertical Dissonance (single notes, dyads, triads)
+ Horizontal Dissonance (dissonant melodicism,
chromaticism, linear tonality, perceptual
dissonance) + Rhythmic Dissonance (metric
asynchronicity/shift, temporal density) +
Organic Dissonance (harmonic destabilisation)
Contrastive Valence within Mehldau’s Lines
‘Tres Palabras’ – 2m17s (see Chapter 4.7.1) H/D (perceptual dissonance) + V/D (single notes
and dyad) + R/D (diminishing dispersal) + H/D
(chromaticism) ￫ V/C (diagonal consonance) +
H/C (perceptual consonance) + R/C

‘Sky Turning Grey’ – 2m20s (see Chapter 4.7.2) H/D (linear tonality) + H/D (disjunct
melodicism) + H/D (perceptual dissonance) ￫
H/D (chromaticism) + H/C (perceptual easing) ￫
R/C (temporal easing) + H/C (consonant

melodicism)
‘Nearness Of You’ – 3m08s (see Chapter 4.7.3) H/D (perceptual dissonance) + R/D (expressive
variation) + R/D (diminishing dispersal) + V/D
+ C/D + H/D (chromaticism) ￫ H/C (perceptual
easing) + H/D (chromaticism) + V/C ￫ C/C

(blues)
‘Madrid’ – 1m32s (see Chapter 4.7.4) H/D (chromaticism) + V/D ￫ H/D
(chromaticism) + V/D ￫ V/C

‘Someone To Watch Over Me’ – 6m02s (see H/C (perceptual consonance) + H/D
Chapter 4.7.5) (chromaticism) + V/C (Dia.) ￫ H/D (perceptual
100
dissonance) + V/C (diagonal consonance) ￫ H/D
(chromaticism) + R/D (expressive variation) +
H/C (motif) + H/C (perceptual consonance) ￫
R/C + H/D
‘Elegy For William Burroughs And Allen R/D (temporal density) + H/D (perceptual
Ginsberg’ – 3m (see Chapter 4.7.6) dissonance) + C/C (blues) + H/C (perceptual
easing) ￫ R/D (temporal density) + H/D
(perceptual dissonance) + V/C (diagonal
consonance) + H/D (chromaticism) ￫ H/C
(perceptual easing) + R/C (temporal easing) +
V/C (diagonal consonance) V/D (dyads) ￫ R/C
4.7.1. ‘Tres Palabras’ – 2m17s
At 2m17s of ‘Tres Palabras’ (Anything Goes, 2004), Mehldau plays a line over a V–I in D
minor. He combines the use of several dissonances over the A7, which are resolved at the
onset of a D minor chord (bar 2). Mehldau employs two successive vertical dissonances: an
unprepared b9 (Bb) accompanied by a dissonant dyad (F and G), then a major seventh (G#),
followed by a chromatic passage (H/D). He utilises diminishing dispersal (R/D) and
perceptual dissonance (H/D) as the line descends to well within tessitural range. At the onset
of resolution (Dm7), perceptual, rhythmic, and vertical (diagonal) consonances provide
positive valence (see Figure 54).
In addition, cultural dissonance is also achieved through the use of a major seventh played on
a downbeat of a dominant chord, A7. In bar 1 of Figure 54, Mehldau plays a G# at beat 3, a
structural beat. This is considered both a V/D and a C/D, as it is not only a vertical sensory
dissonance, but also a cultural one which does not follow chord/scale norms (see Levine,
1995).
101
V/D V/D + C/D
A7 ! 9 b œ.
H/C (Perceptual easing - dissonance to consonance)
#œ nœ #œ nœ
3
œ
&c Œ ≈ œœ ..
J
R/D (Diminishing Dispersal)
Dm (maj7 )
H/D (Chromaticism)
Dm7
& œ œ. ‰ j Ó
œ œ. œ œ. œ œ œ
V/C (Diagonal)
Figure 54: ‘Tres Palabras’ – 2m17s (see Table 14 for description of contrastive valence)
4.7.2. ‘Sky Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith)’ – 2m20s
In ‘Sky Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith)’ (Highway Rider, 2010), at 2m20s, Mehldau
combines (H/D) linear tonality (implied C#m7b5 over Cm7b5), with disjunct melodicism
(H/D) and a rising passage (H/D) that culminates, and then eases (H/C), with chromaticism
(H/D) at bar 3. At bar 4, further consonance ensues with the use of temporal easing and
consonant melodicism. To further the sense of resolution, Mehldau quotes the melody at bars
5 and 6 (see Figure 55).
H/D (Perceptual Dissonance)

H/C (Perceptual Easing)
E ! m/B !
H/D (Disjunct Melodicism)
Cm7(! 5) nœ œ œ n œb œ œ n œ b œ
b # œ
& b bbb c Ó Œ ‰ j œ nœ #œ nœ nœ # œ
nœ C/C
H/D (Linear Tonality) H/D (Chromaticism)
B !m7/A !
H/C (Consonant melodicism)
F 7/A G !maj7
bbbb œ œ œ œ
& b œ œ ‰ j ‰ œ
nœ w
œ ˙
◊
R/C (TEMPORAL EASING)
O/C (Melodic quote)
Figure 55: ‘Sky Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith)’ – 2m20s (see Table 14 for description of contrastive valence)
102
4.7.3. ‘The Nearness Of You’ – 3m07s
In ‘The Nearness Of You’ (Anything Goes, 2004), Mehldau employs a myriad of dissonances
and consonances for contrastive valence. At 3m08s he starts a phrase that uses perceptual
dissonance resolving to perceptual consonance throughout Figure 56. Concurrently Mehldau
also employs expressive variation (R/D) and diminishing dispersal (R/D) throughout the 3-
bar phrase. He increases the temporal density at bar 2, utilising chromaticism (H/D) for added
instability. In addition, at bar 2 beat 1 Mehldau plays a C# over Am7 (V/D) (unsupported by
his left hand) creating a chromatic appoggiatura to the eleventh (D) of Am7. The phrase
concludes with a cultural consonance, a blues cell in F. Playing a major third over a minor
chord at bar 2 (albeit implied in this case) is considered to be culturally dissonant, and is a
feature found often in Mehldau’s composition and improvisation.
H/D (Perceptual Dissonance) H/C (Perceptual Easing)
Gm7 C7 Am7 œ b œ œ # œ n D7
œ # œ œ #œ œ œ nœ bœ nœ œ ≈ œ œ
&c Œ œ b œ œœ
5
œ œ œ œ
Heavily laid back H/D (chrom.) H/D (Chrom.) 6
R/D (Expressive variation) V/C H/D (Chrom.)
V/D + C/D
Gm7 C7
œ Œ Ó
R/D (Diminishing dispersal)
& œ bœ
3
C/C (Blues)
Figure 56: ‘The Nearness Of You’ – 3m07s (see Table 14 for description of contrastive valence)
4.7.4. ‘Madrid’ – 1m32s
In ‘Madrid’ (Places, 2000) at 1m32s, Mehldau combines two contrary chromatic phrases
over a G#7b9 chord, while at the same time spelling vertical dissonances of a major seventh
over a dominant chord at beats 2 and 3 of Figure 57, resolving to a vertically diagonal
consonance at bar 2.
103
G #7(b9)
H/D (Chrom.)
H/D (Chrom.)
j bœ nœ bœ œ
&c #œ œ #œ œ #œ nœ
C #m7
flat 9 maj 7th Root
7th
Maj 7th
& #œ #œ œ #˙
#œ
V/C (Diagonal)
Figure 57: ‘Madrid’ – 1m32s (see Table 14 for description of contrastive valence)
4.7.5. ‘Someone To Watch Over Me’ – 6m02s
In ‘Someone To Watch Over Me’ (Live in Tokyo, 2004), Mehldau employs a four-stage
improvisational concept beginning with perceptual easing (H/C) via chromaticism (H/D) and
vertical consonances before moving to a build using perceptual dissonance (H/D) and vertical
consonance (bar 2, Figure 58). Mehldau then combines chromaticism (H/D) with expressive
variation (R/D) and a one beat motif (H/C) repeated three times from the end of bar 2, easing
perceptual and rhythmic dissonances towards the end of bar 3.
Bm7( ! 5)
H/D (Chrom.) H/D (chrom.)
n œ3 œ b œ œ b œ n œ œ n œ
V/C (Diagonal)
### œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3
& c Œ ≈ nœ œ œ œ nœ œ #œ œ
H/C (Perceptual easing - dissonance to consonance)
V/C (diagonal) V/C (diagonal) H/D (chrom.)
√ ¤ C# 7
A maj7
œ n œ
### œ œ œ œ3 œ œ œ œ œ n œ œ # œ n œ # œ n œ œ5 œ
& œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ
H/D (Perceptual dissonance) R/D (Expressive variation)
H/C (Motif)
H/D (chrom.)
¤
H/D (chrom.) H/D (chrom.)
F# 7 G7 F# 7
œ nœ œ bœ œ
# # œ bœ œ œ œ nœ œ #œ œ œ œ œ œ
3
& # œ n œ œ ## œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
5 3
R/C (rhythmic easing)

H/C (Perceptual easing)
Figure 58: ‘Someone To Watch Over Me’ – 6m02s (see Table 14 for description of contrastive valence)
104
4.7.6. ‘Elegy For William Burroughs And Allen Ginsberg’ – 3m
In ‘Elegy For William Burroughs And Allen Ginsberg’ (Elegiac Cycle, 1999), Mehldau
employs temporal density/easing and perceptual dissonance/consonance throughout (see
Figure 59). He uses a major blues scale in bar 1 (C/C) and prior to resolution in Em,
combines an ascending vertical consonance with a descending horizontal dissonance
(chromatic), resolving to the third of Em at beat 1 bar 4.
Cm(maj7)
H/D (Perceptual Dissonance) H/C (Perceptual Easing)
F7 œ n œ œ œH/D (Chrom.)
?#c b œ
œ œ bœ nœ œ œ œ
?
œ &
œ b œ n œ
œ œ C/C (Blues)
R/D (Temporal Density)
V/C (D) V/C (Diaogonal)
œ # œ œ œ œ n œ œœ
H/D (Chrom.)
V/D B7/F #
œ
9 6 H/D (Chrom.)
Gmaj7 œ œ œ œ œ # œœ n œœ
œ
5
# bœnœ œ œ œ
3
œ # œ
6
œ œ
& œœœœœœ
V/D
H/D (Perceptual Dissonance) H/C (Perceptual Easing) V/C
R/D (Temporal Easing)
Em7 Dm6 G7aug

# # œœ n œœ .. œœ ‰ ≈ r #œ
& Ó œ # œ n œœ
‰ J
Figure 59: ‘Elegy For William Burroughs And Allen Ginsberg’ – 3m (see Table 14 for description of contrastive
valence)
4.7.7. Problems concerning Classification of C/D
It is perhaps academically unsound to propose a new analytical framework in jazz without

demonstrating practical issues pertaining to potential ambiguity. When transcribing and
analysing 10 solos using my method of C/D (see Chapter 5), I found some matters of
classification to be the biggest challenge. Huron (2006) argues that some musical expectation
exists in the listener that cannot be found in the music (p. 360), and acknowledges
Schoenberg’s proposal that events exist in music that aren’t necessarily perceived by the
listener.
105
With this in mind, issues pertaining to the relevance of any analysis of this kind must be
addressed. As this exegesis is primarily aimed at informing performance, a central argument
for its relevance is that any research that draws information from abstract sources (such as
music) for the direct purpose of new abstract conception or genesis is, if undertaken with
integrity, a fruitful and valid endeavour. Problems may arise due to the reductive nature of a
project such as this, however. While I am aware of such reductive pitfalls I have also trusted
in the integrity of my musical experience to help guide me through this practice-directed
research, combining rote-based application from this analytical framework with my
experience as an improvising musician. After all, the developmental history of improvised
music and especially jazz is full of autodidactically directed study (both formal and informal).
Something which once was perceived as dissonant can later form part of a culturally
consonant vernacular. Consequently, the ‘me’ is an important device in the development of
jazz, and as jazz itself is such a young art form, there is still much to discover.
It is hoped that this exegesis will spur further study into both method and perceived
motivation to try and explore why improvisers play what they play. as the model presented in
this chapter is exciting as it represents a fresh way to explore jazz improvisation and/or
composition. It not only outlines the ‘what’ and ‘when’, but also proposes some of the ‘why’.
Table 15 lists some of the issues I encountered while analysing Brad Mehldau’s solos; it is
not an exhaustive list but is intended to clarify categorical ambiguity.
Table 15: Problems and Concerning Classification of C/D
Problem Example/Answer
Is a unit a diagonal vertical ‘When It Rains’ – bar 17 beat 2: a one beat vertical
C/D or a horizontal one? dissonance spelling Gmaj7#9 over B7/A, using the notes
Also, if it is a diagonal (from top to bottom): D, G, A#, B, D, G, F# (see Chapter
vertical dissonance, could it 5.9). The line primarily spells out a chord rather than a scale,
not also be described as a being primarily vertical in nature with the addition of an A#
linear tonality? creating an appogiatura to B. It could be described as being
linear tonality of G major, but this is a moot point; the
vertical description describes the superimposition adequately.
Any debate on the absolute nature of a phrase is purely
academic; the reader is reminded that the aim of analysis of
this type is to aid performance.
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Is a diagonal vertical No. A harmonic destabilisation is an alternative chord

dissonance not simply a sequence usually realised by both hands on the piano, a
harmonic destabilisation? diagonal vertical C/D spells out the notes of only one chord
at a time. Harmonic destabilisation has a greater effect to the
listener; disruption to the schematic norm causes greater
arousal/attention than relatively brief vertical dissonance. It
has an effect on the organicism of the work, therefore it is an
organic dissonance.
Is the chromatic scale simply As it is a scale and often played as such, chromaticism is a
a cultural consonance instead horizontal dissonance; on occasion the chromatic scale may
of a horizontal dissonance? form part of a motif in which case the motivicness may be
more salient that the chromaticness. In addition, a chromatic
enclosure (F-Eb-E) is considered a cultural consonance more
than a chromatic dissonance, as its primary function is to
decorate guide tones instead of creating instability via
chromaticism. Sometimes a chord sequence is composed
containing an ascending/descending chromatic bassline (e.g.
Am – Am/G# – A7/G – D/F#); in this case the chromaticism
forms part of the harmonic framework and is not a dissonant
sonority.
Can a crip also be a motif? Yes it can. A crip is essentially a motif that is idiomatic to the
performer in question (Mehldau), and is stored in the long-
term memory of an experienced listener. A crip can be a
repeated to be part of a motivic passage played either
diatonically or utilising linear tonality; or, if accompanied by
both hands, harmonic destabilisation.
Isn’t perceptual dissonance Yes, this is indeed the case. Factors such as tempo and style
and temporal density just a have to be accounted for when considering temporal density.
matter of context? Surely Factors such as the normative range of the solo in general
what may be a dissonant have to be taken into account when deciding whether a
event in one piece may be a phrase should be marked for perceptual dissonance; context
consonant one in another. plays a big part.
107
4.7.8. Summary of Holistic Examples/Contrastive Valence
This section has defined contrastive valence, and presented theoretical and examples of
consonance and dissonance juxtaposed in the music of Brad Mehldau, as well as
exemplifying problems and solutions with regards to classification. This section acts as a
precursor to Chapters five and six, aiding the reader towards an understanding of the complex
relationships of consonant and dissonant events in Mehldau’s music.
4.8. Conclusion
This chapter has defined a collection of musical terms relating to consonance and dissonance
largely derived from authors and texts in the fields of musicology and cognitive sciences.
Although the terms are largely borrowed from the Western classical tradition, their assembly
into a holistic analytical model is my original contribution to the field of jazz musicology.
Arguably, this contribution is required due to a paucity of analytical methods available when
attempting to understand a performer like Brad Mehldau. Using this model it is now possible
to compare divergent musicians by using a common set of tools; for example, it may be
observed that Wynton Kelly plays with a higher degree of cultural consonance than Paul
Bley. It could also be argued that Keith Jarrett plays using less harmonic destabilisation than
Ethan Iverson. A player such as Thelonious Monk is known for his high degree of organic
consonance via melody, vertical dissonances via dissonant dyads, and rhythmic dissonance
via metric shifts. The possibilities of this model are not simply limited to the music of
Mehldau; due to the autodidactic nature of jazz performance there is huge diversity within the
field. This is of course what makes the individualism of each player so valuable to the jazz
tradition. This model, if applied thoroughly, can situate a performer within cultural and
organic contexts as well as detail specific devices that they have in their employ.
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Chapter 5 - Case Studies
Chapter 5. Case Studies
5.1. Introduction to the Case Studies
While the previous chapter was primarily concerned with definitions and examples of
individual sonorities, this chapter focuses on selected piano solos of Brad Mehldau. Each
case study includes an annotated transcription using an analytical model based on C/D
developed in Chapter 4, with observations and conclusions. The case studies will be used as a
stimulus for the practice-directed component of the Doctor of Musical Arts (see Chapter 6).
The first eight transcriptions consist of treble stave only with accompanying chord symbols
(derived from performance of the in-head). For reasons of markedness, the final two
transcriptions use the grand stave to support analysis that cannot be exemplified with a single
stave (e.g. harmonic destabilisation and extensive interplay between hands). Heterogenic
comping styles will be shown in these final two transcriptions; all other comping is
essentially idiomatically generic and can be satisfactorily represented by chord symbols
alone.
Table 16 contains a list of abbreviations used as annotations in the transcriptions. It is

recommended that the reader become familiar with the acronyms before studying the
transcriptions.
Table 16: C/D Analytical Acronyms
Acronym Description
V/C Vertical Consonance
V/D Vertical Dissonance
V/C (D) Vertical Consonance (Diagonal)
V/D (D) Vertical Dissonance (Diagonal)
H/C Conjunct Horizontal Melodicism

H/D Disjunct Horizontal Melodicism
H/C (M) Motif (multiple motifs will be labelled M1,
M2, M2.1, M2.2 etc.)
H/C (Call) Call
109
H/C (Response) Response

H/D (C) Chromaticism
H/D (L/T) Linear Tonality
H/D (P/D) Perceptual Dissonance
H/C (P/E) Perceptual Easing
R/C Rhythmic Consonance

R/C (T/B) Transformational Beat
R/D (D/D) Diminishing Dispersal
R/D (E/V) Expressive Variation
R/D (T/D) Temporal Density
R/C (T/E) Temporal Easing
R/D (M/A) Metric Asynchronicity
R/D (M/S) Metric Shift
O/C (M) Melodic Quotes (quote from the head)

O/D (Hy/D) Hypermetric Dissonance
O/D (Ha/D) Harmonic Destabilisation
C/C Cultural Consonance

C/C (B) Blues Scale
C/C (C) Crip
C/D Cultural Dissonance
5.2. ‘Tres Palabras’
‘Tres Palabras’ is a composition written by the Cuban songwriter Osvaldo Farres. Although
not as popular as some Cuban compositions (e.g. ‘Quizás Quizás Quizás’, written by the
same composer), ‘Tres Palabras’ has become part of the standard jazz repertoire, having been
recorded by artists such as Nat King Cole, Kenny Burrell, Coleman Hawkins, Arturo
Sandoval and Joe Henderson to name a few. Mehldau included ‘Tres Palabras’ on Anything
Goes (2004), an album consisting of standards and pop tunes. During the same recording
session, the trio also recorded original material that was later released on House On Hill
(2006). ‘Tres Palabras’ has many characteristics typical of a jazz standard, including a 32-bar
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strophe using a 16-bar AB form, 8-bar hypermetric divisions defined by a combination of

melodic phrasing, and functional harmonic movement moving between major and relative
minor key centres.
Interestingly, Mehldau’s improvisation only lasts for one chorus, before the out head returns
at 2m57s. Even though this solo is comparatively short, it is conceptually rich, containing
many types of C/D described in Chapter 4, and is consequently ideal as an opening study. For
the complete transcription see Figures 60 and 61.
Tres Palabras Transcription

From Anything Goes, Brad Mehldau Trio, 2004
R/D (E/V)
O/C (M)
Em7/A A7 # 5 Dm (maj7 )
O/C (M)
œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ #œ œ œ nœ œ œ
&c J J Œ ‰œœ ≈ ≈ ≈ œ œœœ
3
H/D (C) V/C (D)

O/C (M)
Dm7 Dm7/G G7 # 5
Œ œ #œ . j
& #œ #œ nœ ˙ . œ œ œ œ œ œ. J #œ
3 3
4
C/C
H/D (P/D) H/C (P/E)
H/C (M1)
R/D (E/V) O/D (Hy/D)
G7 # 5/C Cmaj7
Bm7( ! 5) E7 ! 9
Em7/A A7
& #œ #œ nœ ˙ . Ó Œ #œ œ œ bœ œ Œ ‰ œj
7
C/C V/C H/C (M1.2)
H/C (M1.1)
R/D (E/V)
B7 ! 9
O/C (M)
Dm7
V/C (D) H/D (C)
F #m7( ! 5)
≈ j œ #œ œ #œ œ œ œ #œ nœ ‰ œ
& ‰œœœ Ó
3 3 3
3
10
#œ #œ . #œ œ #œ œ
H/C (M1.3) V/D V/D
H/C (M1.4) V/C
H/D (P/D) H/C (P/E)
R/D (T/D)
R/D (E/V)
R/C (T/E)
F7 # 11
R/D (D/D)
Bm7( ! 5) Bm7/E
# œ œ œ # œ # 5œ œ n œ b œ
œ# œ # œn œb œœb œœœ œ
H/D (C)
&# œ œ œb œb œn œ# œ# œ
3
œ # œ œ œn œ# œ œ
3
œ
3
œ# œ
3 3
13
œ
H/D (P/D) H/C (P/E) C/C C/C
H/D (L/T) H/D (L/T) R/C (T/B)
B Lydian B flat Harmonic Minor
Figure 60: ‘Tres Palabras’ Transcription – page 1
111
TresPalabras/2
V/D V/D + C/D
Em7/A A7 ! 9
R/C (T/B) O/C (M) R/D (D/D)
E7 ! 9 b œ . # œ n œ # œ n œ3 œ
œ m œ # œ j3
‰
& œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œœ Ó Œ ≈ œœ ..
3 3 3
16 J
C/C (C) V/C H/C (P/E)
R/C (T/B)
Dm(maj7 ) Dm7
H/D (C)
Dm7/G
œ j
& œ. œ œ. œ œ. œ ‰ œ œ Ó ∑
19
V/C H/C
R/D (T/D)
G7 # 5/C Bm7( ! 5) E7 ! 9
O/C (M)
Cmaj7 œ
G7 # 5
R/D (E/V)
œ b œ œ b œ œ # œ # œ œ bœ
œ b œ œ œ œ œœ
3
œ
& ≈ œ œ# œ œ œ œb œ b œ . œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ bœ
3
‰œœ
3
22
C/C (B) H/D (C) H/C (M2) H/C (M2.1) H/C (M2.2)
C/C (CMAR) V/C
H/C (P/E)
H/D (P/D)
H/D (C)
Em7/A
H/D (C)
# !
O/C (M)
A7
Dm7 F m7( 5)
b œ œ b œ
3
œ œ œ # œ n œ œœ œ
œœ œ œœœ œ # œ n œ œ #œ . œ ˙
& ≈ bœ ˙ ≈ œ œ #œ œ œ
3
25
J
H/C (M2.3) H/D (C) V/C H/C H/D (C)
V/D + C/D R/C (T/E)
O/D (Hy/D)
E7 ! 9
O/C (M) R/D (E/V)
B7 ! 9 Bm7( ! 5) Am7 Bm7/E E7 ! 9

œ
& Ó Œ œ œ œ mœ œ œ ˙ œb œ œb œ œ œ
œ# œ œ w ∑
3
f
28
H/D (C)
V/C (D)
Figure 61: ‘Tres Palabras’ Transcription – page 2
5.2.1. Observations
Even though Mehldau’s solo only lasts for one chorus, it is conceptually rich, containing
most elements of C/D defined in Chapter 4, including vertical (both culturally consonant and
dissonant), horizontal (motif, chromaticism, linear tonality, perceptual dissonance and
easing), rhythmic (diminishing dispersal, expressive variation, temporal density) and organic
112
elements (melodic quotes and hypermetric dissonance), with some cultural consonances
(CMAR lick, blues, half-whole diminished scale). By considering each hypermetric unit it is
possible to examine his improvisational strategy more clearly (see Table 17).
Table 17: C/D Relationships Grouped into Structural Hypermeter
Bars 1–8 O/C (M) ￫ O/C (M) + H/D (C) + R/D (E/V) ￫ V/C ￫ H/C (M) + C/C ￫
H/D (P/D) + O/C (M) ￫ H/C (P/E) ￫ H/C (M) + C/C + R/D (E/V)
Bars 9–16 H/C (M) + O/D (Hy/D) ￫ O/C (M) + H/C (M) ￫ V/C (D) + H/C (M) +
H/D (P/D) + R/D (E/V) ￫ V/D + H/D(C) + H/C (P/E) ￫ V/C ￫ R/D
(T/D) + R/D (E/V) + R/D (D/D) + H/D (L/T) + H/D (P/D) ￫ H/C (P/E)
+ H/D(C) ￫ R/C (T/B) + C/C ￫ R/C (T/B) + R/C (T/E) + C/C (C) ￫
O/C (M)
Bars 17–24 V/C ￫ V/D + C/D + R/D (D/D) + H/C (P/E) + H/D (C) ￫ R/C (T/B) +
V/C ￫ H/C ￫ R/D (T/D) + R/D (E/V) + C/C (B) ￫ H/D (C) ￫ C/C ￫
V/C ￫ H/C (M) + H/D (P/D) ￫ H/C (M) + O/C (M) + H/D (C) + H/C
(P/E)
Bars 25–32 O/D (Hy/D) + R/D (T/D) + H/C (M) ￫ H/D (C) ￫ V/C ￫ V/D + C/D ￫
H/C ￫ H/D (C) + O/C (M) ￫ R/D (T/E) ￫ O/C (M) ￫ R/D (E/V) + H/D
(C) ￫ V/C (D)
Legend:
+ = concurrent events
￫ = subsequent events
bold/non-bold typeface = visual aid to help highlight grouping
At bars 1–2 Mehldau begins his solo with an organic consonance by way of a rhythmically
active version of the melody (a single held E). As a contrast to the initial improvisational
gambit, at bar 3 he plays a phrase beginning on F (another note from the melody and organic
consonance); this phrase contains an ascending and descending chromatic line (horizontal
dissonance) and expressive variation (rhythmical dissonance) by laying back on the beat
during the bar. Contrastive valence and hyper-dissonance created by combining organic
consonance, chromaticism, and expressive variation is followed by a vertical consonance (a
diagonal descending arpeggio) at the end of bar 3, before the phrase concludes with an
anapaestic motif (M1) built on a culturally consonant chromatic enclosure (bar 4, beats 1–2).
113
At bar 5 Mehldau begins with another organic consonance by way of a melodic fragment;
this is combined with perceptual dissonance/easing as the diatonic line ascends (supported
with dense block chord accompaniment) then descends from bars 5–7. At bar 7 beat 1, M1 is
restated using the culturally consonant G half-whole diminished scale.
At bar 9 the next hypermetrical unit begins with hypermetric dissonance by way of a
reiteration of M1 every bar for three bars. This is combined with organic consonance via
melody at bar 10 and vertical consonance via an arpeggio at bar 11. Perceptual dissonance
increases at bar 11 as the line ascends then decreases at bar 12 as the line descends. Two
vertical dissonances (unprepared and accented b9, and p4 respectively) are heard at bar 12
(beats 1, and 2), and combined with descending chromaticism (horizontal dissonance) at beat
2. At bar 13, rhythmical hyper-dissonance is formed from a combination of temporal density
(bars 13–14), expressive variation (bar 13), and diminishing dispersal (bars 13–14).
Perceptual dissonance/easing is created during bars 13–14 with an ascending then descending
line; this is combined with further horizontal dissonance by way of linear tonality during bars
13–14 (B Lydian and Bb harmonic minor) and chromaticism (bar 14 beat 4). These
dissonances are resolved at bar 15 with a rhythmically consonant transformational beat (beat
1), temporal easing and cultural consonances (chromatic leading tones [beats 2 and 4]). The
hypermeter concludes with a crip (stabs) followed by an organic consonance (melody) during
bar 16.
Bars 17–24 begin with a melodic quote (using a 2-beat pickup from bar 16) and a diagonally
vertical consonance (bar 17). As discussed in Chapter 4.7.1, Mehldau then plays a line over a
V–I in D minor, combining several dissonances over A7, which are resolved at the onset of
the D minor chord (bar 19). These dissonances are two successive vertical dissonances (an
unprepared b9 [Bb] then a major seventh [G#]), the first of which is supported with a
dissonant dyad, followed by a descending chromatic passage (H/D). In addition, Mehldau
uses diminishing dispersal and perceptual easing as the line descends. Cultural dissonance is
also achieved through the use of a major seventh played on a downbeat of a dominant chord,
A7 (bar 18 beat 3). At the onset of resolution (bar 19), perceptual (H/C), rhythmic (T/B) and
vertical (D) consonances provide positive valence. A 6-beat rest then occurs (bar 20 beat 3–
bar 21 beat 4), this rest provides anticipation (see Huron, 2006, p. 328) before the most
dissonant phrase of the solo sounds from bar 22 to bar 27; this phrase essentially culminates
the solo employing temporal density, perceptual dissonance to perceptual easing, motif,
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chromaticism, expressive variation, and hypermetric dissonance (from bar 25) as the phrase
extends two bars beyond the hypermetric division.
The last 8 bars of this solo begin with hypermetric dissonance (from a phrase beginning at bar
22). Perceptual easing ensues from bar 24 beat 3, as an ascending motif started on bar 23 beat
3 descends, moving into a chromatic passage at bar 25. This is followed by a vertical
consonance (bar 25 beat 4), then a vertical dissonance (with cultural dissonance) on the
downbeat of bar 26, as a major third (F#) is spelt over a D minor chord. Then a horizontal
consonance followed by a horizontal chromatic dissonance occurs (combined with an organic
melodic consonance), and temporal density eases at bar 27. The solo concludes with a
melodic quote at bars 28–29 followed by a phrase using expressive variation, descending
horizontal dissonance, and a vertical consonance (bars 30–31).
5.2.2. Conclusions
In ‘Tres Palabras’, Mehldau refers to the melody and uses motif throughout the solo. He uses
expressive variation (often during cadential anchors to increase salience) but also employs
temporal density and diminishing dispersal for arousal/attention. Mehldau combines
rhythmical dissonances (expressive variation combined with diminishing dispersal and
temporal density) to form a rhythmic hyper-dissonance (bars 13–15). Perceptual dissonance
and temporal density aren’t mutually exclusive, however greater arousal/attention is
accomplished when both are employed (e.g. bar 13). Mehldau uses more vertical dissonance
(both culturally consonant and dissonant) during the second half of the solo, and not at all
during the first quarter. He uses hypermetric dissonance during the culmination of the solo
and combined with motif during the initial half of the solo. Mehldau uses chromaticism as
part of a motif (e.g. bars 24–25) and also as a descending horizontal bridge between
sonorities (e.g. bar 18). He uses rhythmic consonances (stabs or transformational beats) to
resolve dissonance (e.g. bars 15–16). He also uses excerpts of the melody as positive valence
after hyper-dissonances (e.g. bars 16–17 after bars 13–16). Mehldau improvises in waves,
beginning with relative consonance, and building dissonant layers to a small climax (bars 13–
16). Consonance is restored (bars 17–21) before the final climax (bars 22–26). Small
segments of cultural consonances can be found throughout the solo, for example major blues
scale (bar 22), altered scale/CMAR (bar 22), and the occasional use of the bebop language
(bar 4).
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5.3. ‘Secret Beach’
‘Secret Beach’ is a composition by Brad Mehldau, originally written for Quartet

(Metheny/Mehldau, 2007), a collaborative album he made with Pat Metheny. The
transcription below (see Figures 62–64) is from Live (Mehldau, 2008), a trio recording with
Jeff Ballard and Larry Grenadier. ‘Secret Beach’ is split into two 32-bar sections, each
containing four 8-bar hypermetric divisions totalling 64 bars. During the recording, Mehldau
only improvises for 56 out of 64 bars, returning to the out-head for the remaining 8 bars.
After the out-head, Mehldau employs an improvisational outro from 6m09s–11m20s based
on an 8-bar vamp (see Chapter 4.5.4 for details); the outro is considerably more adventurous
and dynamic than the solo, however I have chosen to analyse the solo section as it contains
unique C/D juxtapositions. Perhaps Mehldau’s most seminal vamp-based improvisation is
‘River Man’ (AOT5, 2001); ‘River Man’ will be studied in depth in Chapter 5.11. In
compositional terms, Mehldau combines the use of functional harmony with economical bass
movement, often ascending or descending in intervals of major or minor seconds.
5.3.1. Observations
After an organic consonance (bar 1) and a conjunct horizontal gambit lasting for two bars
(bars 1–2), at bar 3 beat 3, Mehldau quotes from the melody of ‘Secret Beach’ (see Figures
62–64), playing a melodic cell descending a minor seventh, ascending a minor third, and
finally descending a semitone. This section of the melody forms a motivic cell that is
repeated throughout the solo. At bar 4 beat 4–bar 5 beat 1 Mehldau compresses his initial
melodic fragment into an anapaestic grouping of two semiquavers descending a seventh,
followed by a held note, up a minor third. This anapaestic motif (M1) is played again at bar 7
(albeit using a smaller inverted intervallic leap), and also at bar 9 (although by this time it can
only be recognised purely on its anapaestic quality). At bar 11 Mehldau combines disjunct
melodic material with vertical dissonances (beats 1 and 3) and at beat 4, M1 is heard once
again. After a vertical dissonance (bar 12 beat 3) and space, M1 is stated again in both bars
14 and 15 (occurring at beat 4 on both occasions). After a brief harmonic anticipation (H/D
[L/T]) to Bb major at bar 16 beat 4, M1 is played again at bar 17 beats 2–3 and again at bars
24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29. Bars 21–22 contain a contrastive phrase utilising diminishing
dispersal, expressive variation, blues and vertical dissonances. Mehldau finishes the first 32
bars with a quote from the melody and a 6-beat rest.
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Secret Beach Transcription

From Live, Brad Mehldau Trio, 2008
H/C (M1)
E7/G #
O/C (M) O/C (M)
Am7 D7/F #
H/C (M1.1)
Gm7
&c œ œ œ œ b œœ ‰œ
1
˙. œœœ œ œ Œ Ó œ b œœ œ ˙. œ
V/D
H/C V/D
Bm7 ! 5 F #dim7
H/D (C)
E7 ! 9
V/D
Fmaj13
H/D (C)
& b œœ Œ Ó ∑ Ó. ‰
C/C
5 bœ œ œ nœ œ œ ˙ #œ œ
V/D
H/C (M1.2)
V/D (D)
E7/G # >œ
C/C H/D
Cmaj7/G G7 Am
bœ bœ œœ œ œ œ œ œ
3 3
& œ #œ œ Œ Ó ∑ œ ˙ œœ ‰ . r
9
œ bœ nœ œ œ
V/D V/D
H/C (M1.3) H/D (C) H/C (M1.4)
V/D
O/C (M)
D7 F7/E ! A7sus/E A7sus A7

bœ
& ‰Œ Ó Ó œ bœ ¿
13 œ œ œ œ œœœ ˙. œœœ ˙.
H/C (M1.5) H/C (M1.6) H/D (L/T) + C/C
B !maj7 Bdim7 Fmaj13/C Am/C D7

H/C (M1.7)
& œ ‰ bœ œ œ Œ ∑ Œ ≈œ œ œ œœœœ ≈œœ≈Œ Ó

17
œ #œ
C/C
R/D (E/V)
E !dim7 D7/F #
R/D (D/D)
A7/E G7sus
r‰≈œœ ..# œœn œ œ b œœb œœ
≈
& œ J œ œœ œœœœœœ œ ‰ j ‰ œœ
21 œ #œ œ œ œ .œ œ œ ˙.
V/D V/D C/C (B) H/C (M1.8)
Figure 62: ‘Secret Beach’ Transcription – page 1
117
SecretBeach/2
Amaj7/G # Cmaj7/G C7/G Fm7 Cm7/E !

H/C (M1.12)
˙.
& ˙. ‰ œ œ ˙. ‰ œœ ‰ œ bœ œ bœ nœ œ bœ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ b œ
25
œ
H/C (M1.9) H/C (M1.10) H/C (M1.11) H/D (C)
V/D
D7 E7 # 5 G7sus
O/C (M)
Fmaj7
& œ. œ œ ˙ Ó. ∑
29 œ œœœ œ œ œ ˙.
H/C (M1.13)
E13/G #
C/C (B)
Am Gm7 D !7/F
H/D
œ œ bœ Œ ‰ nœ bœ œ ‰ Œ Ó b œ œ œ b œ b œ ≈ # œœ ‰ b œ
C/C (B)
∑
33
& œ œ bœ œ œ bœ œ œ
H/D H/D (L/T)
B !m7 ! 5 E !7alt
V/D
H/C (M1.14)
b œb œb œ
3
& œ ‰ Œ Ó Œ œ ‰ bœ nœ œ ?
œ J
37
#œ O/C (M)
H/D
HD (P/D) H/C (P/E)
EN D !7/F
? ˙. ≈ r bœ œ
#œ œ #œ & #œ . b œ n œ b œ
39
œ bœ bœ nœ
H/C (M1.14)
D7/A
E !7/G ! Cm/G ! G7 # 11 G #m7 ! 5 > >
# œ # œ œœ œ n œ
>œ .
C/C (B)
œ ‰ œ œœ
& # œ . œ ‰ œj Ó Œ œ # œ nœ # œ œ ‰ rœ œ œ‰ Œ œ
41
œ œ#œ œ#œ
H/D (C) + H/C (M2) H/D (C) + H/C (M2.1) V/D V/D V/D
118
SecretBeach/3
H/C (Call) H/C (Response)

C/C (B) O/C (M)
E7 B7alt/F #
C/C (C)
j G7/F B7
œ .œ‰œ Ó ‰ œœ œ œ œ .# œ œ n œ ‰ œ œ œ
& j J œ # œ# œ w
45 ˙. œ œ œ œ.œ œ œ
CN C #m7 ! 5 DP E7
V/D
œ œ ‰ ≈ œR # œ b œ . Ó Ó ‰ œ œ #œ œ œ ∑
& œ œ œ #œ œ œ #œ œ œ
49
C/C V/C (D) H/C (M1.15) H/C (M1.16)
R/D (E/V)
R/D (T/D)
D !7/F F #m7 F #m7/E

bœ œ bœ œ œ # œ #œ œ nœ œ nœ nœ œ
H/D (L/T) + C/C
b œ n œ b œ œ œ ‰ bœ œ œ œ œ # œ
&
# œ #œ #œ œ œ
53 œ
H/C (M2.2) V/C (D) (F#) (E)
Dm7 Dm7/C !
O/C (M) + R/C (T/E)
Bm7 5
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙. E•
& œ œ ˙.
55
(D) (Compound Melody) (C) (D) (E)

C/C (CRIP)
Mehldau combines disjunct melody and blues in the opening phrase at bars 33–34, followed
by a 7-beat rest. The next phrase at bar 36 uses linear tonality, spelling Cm over Db7,
followed by a vertical dissonance and further disjunct melodicism that ends with a blues-
based phrase at bar 36 beat 3–bar 37 beat 1. After a triplet-based disjunct figure (bar 38 beat
2), Mehldau returns to M1 at bars 38 (beat 4) and 39 (beat 4). As the motif is played on a
lower octave, perceptual dissonance is created, which is then resolved using an ascending
Db7#11 scale. At bar 42 beat 2 Mehldau employs a turn (and chromaticism) to form the basis
of a new motif (M2) which is repeated at bar 43 beat 2, followed by another instance where
he combines vertical dissonance, disjunct melodicism, and blues at bar 44. Mehldau employs
call and response during bars 45–46 with a single note rhythmically identical to a subsequent
melodic quote heard at bar 47 beat 1. This melodic quote morphs into a crip (bars 47–48),
similar to a phrase heard in ‘Dusty McNugget’ (Largo, 2002) at 2m20s (not documented in
119
Chapter 4.6.3: Crips). Mehldau uses 4-note groupings and enclosure over C major at bar 49,
followed by as vertical consonance and two more occurrences of M1 at bars 50–51. At bar
53, Mehldau returns to M2 prefixing four bars of temporal density, used to aid climax via
contrastive valence. To accompany this rhythmic dissonance, linear tonality via anticipation
is heard at bar 54 beat 4; additionally, the solo culminates at bar 54 beat 3 to bar 56 with a
tactus-placed descending compound melody from F#, E, D, C that ascends to a melody note
E at the beginning of bar 56. This compound melody is accompanied by crip 6 at bar 55 (see
Chapter 4.6.3), before the solo finishes with a melodic phrase comprising of organic and
rhythmic consonances at bar 56.
5.3.2. Conclusions
Mehldau regularly combines vertical dissonances (dyads) with disjunct melodicism (e.g. bars
11–12, 36, 44), often with the addition of blues material. Mehldau either refers directly to the
melody (e.g. bars 3 and 47) or uses segments of melody to form motivic sequences (e.g. bars
24–27). Mehldau seldom uses rhythmic dissonance in this solo, only utilising diminishing
dispersal on one occasion (bar 21–22), a short sequence of temporal density (bar 53–55), and
some expressive variation (e.g. bar 54). Use of blues material is fairly widespread; examples
are bars 22, 33–34, 36–37, 44 and 46. Other cultural consonances are used such as
anticipation (bars 16 and 54), enclosure (bars 7, 9, 19, 49), and crips (bars 47 and 55).
Mehldau uses perceptual dissonance only at bar 39–40. A sense of climax is achieved to a
limited degree by employing temporal density (bars 54–55), combined with motif and largely
consonant material. In the broadest of terms, this is a static solo heavily relying on the
combination of melody, motif, disjunct melodicism, blues material, and vertical dissonance.
5.4. ‘Sky Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith)’
Mehldau composed ‘Sky Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith)’ (Highway Rider, 2010) for an
originals album released in 2010. The album is his second collaboration with producer Jon
Brion (the first being Largo, 2002), and like Largo, Mehldau chooses to deviate from his
stalwart rhythm section and trio format. Matt Chamberlain’s relaxed drum grooves, combined
with Larry Grenadier’s pulse-like bassline create a backdrop for the theme, a lament for
songwriter Elliott Smith (1969–2003). Joshua Redman plays the head, a haunting, horizontal,
motivic melody with occasional blues overtones. Some of the supporting harmony is played
120
on pump organ (overdubbed by Mehldau) during studio sessions recorded in 2009 (see
Figures 65–67).
Sky Turning Grey (For Elliot Smith) Transcription

From Highway Rider, Brad Mehldau, 2009
B !m7/A ! G !maj7 D !maj7/F E! 7 E !m7/D !

b Œ œ œ œœ œœ
& b bbb c œœ
A
nœ ˙ œ œ œ ˙ œ œœ w ˙.
vv
O/C (M) H/C (M1) H/C (M1.1) V/D
Cm7( ! 5) E !m7/B ! F 7/A D^!maj7/A ! G !maj7 D !M/F

& bbbb b ˙ œœœœ
nœ bœ œ œ œ
œ œŒŒ œ
w nœ œ ˙ œ œ œ ˙. œ
6 œ
O/C (M) C/C (B) O/C (M)
B !m7/D ! ! !
E! 7 Cm7( ! 5)
R/D (E/V)
n œ Eœm/B
b # œ œ n œ # œœ n œœ n œ b œ.
& b bbb w Œ
˙
‰ j œ n œ # œ n œ#n ¿œ# œ
12 nœ
C/C H/D (C)
H/D (L/T)
A B !m7/A ! D !maj7/F E! 7 E !m7/D !

H/D (P/D) H/C (P/E)
F 7/A
^œ œ œ œ^ œ œ G !maj7
R/C (T/E)
b b ( ) œ ‰ j ‰ œnœ w œ nœ Ó Œ ‰ œ nœ œ Œ Ó
&b b b œ
3
œ œ œ œ nœ
œ ˙
◊
16
H/C H/D (C) V/D

H/C O/C (M)
E !m7/B ! G !M
Cm7( ! 5) D !maj7/A ! G7alt
R/D (E/V)
œ #n œ. œb œ œb œ œ œ w
F 7/A
œœ œ
V/D
bb œ œn œœ œ œ ˙ ..
3
b b ‰ œ œ
3
& b œ œ n œ b œn œ œ #œ nœ J
22 œ
H/D C/C V/C C/C (B)
O/C (M)
! !
C/C (B)
C7+ œ œ œF7/E ! F7 G N/D

b bbb œ n œ œ œ œ œ
œ nœ œ œ œ Œ Ó
Œ ‰
& b œ nœ #œ nœ J
3 3 3
28 œ œ œ n œ œ J œ œ
R/D (E/V) R/D (E/V)
B !7 F #m9/A A !+7
B
F7/C BM
bb jœ j j j
& b b b ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œœ œœ œ n œœœ ˙˙˙ n ˙˙˙ œ n œ œ œ n œ . œb œ œ n œ ¿ œ œ
3
> œ >
◊ ◊
32
O/C (M)
O/C (M) H/C
Figure 65: ‘Sky Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith)’ Transcription – page 1
121
SkyTurningGrey/2
G !m7
œ œ C #m7/E DN3 E !m7/D ! Cm7( ! 5)
œ n œ n œ b œ œ
R/D (E/V)
b œ n œ # œ œ # œ n œ œ j
& b bbb œ œœ œ ‰ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ œ
3
37
œ œ ˙. œ œ œ.
C/C (B) O/C (M)
E !m7/B ! D !maj7/A ! D !7/A ! G !maj7 B !7/F E !7

bb œœœ œœœ
& b b b œœœœœœ ∑ œœœ œ œ œœ œœ
3
42
œ œ œ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
B !7 R/D (E/V) D !7/A !

C/C (Pentatonic)
G !maj7/D ! Cm7( ! 5)
C/C (B) H/C (M2.1)
!
H/C (M2)
œ n œ b œ œ œ G maj7œn œb œn œb œœ
bbbb b œj ˙ œ œ n œ œ œ nœ
C
œ n œ n œb œ œ œ
œœ
3
&
47 œ. œ œ ˙ œ
H/C (M2.2) R/C H/D H/C (M3.1)
V/C H/C (M3)
C #m7/E
3œ œ œ jœ 3
V/D
F 7(b9)
œ œ nœ bœ
DNœ ˙ E !m7/D ! 3 > Cm7( ! 5) 3 >
b b œ œ n œ œ n œœ J œ œ‰œ œ œ œ œ
Ó ‰ œJ œ œ œ
3
b b
& b nœ œ n œ ‰ J J
52
H/D (C) C/C (B) O/C (M)
G !maj7/B ! > G !maj7 œ 3œ

D !maj7/A ! ! E !7
œ œ ˙D .maj7/F œœœœ
H/C (M3.2)
b œœ œ Ó Œ
& b bbb Ó Œ œ œ
3
‰
˙ J œ œ œ
57 v
O/C (M)
A B !m7/A !
V/D R/D (D/D)
E !m7/D ! Cm7( ! 5) F7
œ œ œ œœœ œ
3œ œ œ œ n œ œ œ b œ œ œ œ œ
C/C (C)
bbb œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœœ‰œ œ¿ œ œ
5
‰J
3 3 33 3 3
b
& b œœ
62
O/C (M)
G !maj7
œ œ3 œ C/C D !maj7/F E! 7
œ œ Œ œ œ3 b œ n œ œ3 œ b œ n œ3 œ
(C)
b bbb Ó j
‰ œ œ nœ œ ‰ œ n œ
3 3
& b
66
C/C (B) H/D (C) + R/D (M/S)
E !m7/D ! ! E !m7/B ! ! !
b b œ œ œ œ3 œ œ œ3 œ Cm7( 5) j œ œœ œ
œ
D maj7/A
F 7/A
œ œ œœœœ
&b b b œ‰ ‰ #œ ‰ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ nœ œ nœ œ
3
69 .
C/C (B) V/D
H/C H/C
122
SkyTurningGrey/3
G !maj7 D !M/F E! 7
b . j
& b bbb ‰ œ ‰ ‰ nœ nœ œ ‰ nœ bœ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ nw
3 3
74
C/C (C) H/D (L/T) V/D H/C
!
R/D (T/D)
B !m7/D ! nœ nœ bœ œ œ Cm7( 5)
b b n œ # œ œ b œ œ nœ bœ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ ≈ œ
& b b b ≈ nœ #œ nœ œ nœ nœ œ œ œ œœ
77 nœ
V/D (D) H/D (C)
!
^œ ^œ G maj7^œ œ B !m7/A !
R/C (T/B)
>
R/D (E/V)
!
E /B ! œ n
F 7/A
œœ œ b œ œœ œ œ œ œœœœ
b b œn œ n œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œœœœ
m
& b b b œ œ œ œ œœ n œ≈ œ ≈ j Œ Œ
A
79
œ
O/C (M)
D !maj7/F E! 7 Cm7( ! 5)
R/C (T/E)
- ! !
#n œ>œ œ œ>œ œ n œ E‰m7/D-œ Œ ^œ Œ
V/D
b b b ‰ œJ œ. œ Œ
V/D
b
& b J J J ∑
83
# œ # œ n œ œ œ n œ œ œ œ Fœ7/A œ
R/D (T/D)
E !m7/B ! œ
b nœ œœœ œ≈œœœ œ œ
& b bbb ‰ nœ nœ #œ #œ œ œœ
87
V/D (D) C/C (Harmonic Generalisation)
D !maj7/A ! j
C/C (B) C/C (B)
. G7alt G !M ‰ œ œ œ œœ n œ Cm7
3
b œ œ œ œ j œ
& b b b b œ˙ œ. œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ˙ œ œ œœ. œ w œ. œ n œ œ œ n œ œ n œJ ‰
3
89 ‰ J
O/C (M)
F7 F7/E !
b b œ n œ œ œ G !N/D ! F+7/C
b
& bb œ œ œ n œ ‰ b œJ n œ œ œ œ Œ ∑ ∑
3
3
93
C/C (B)
The form of this composition is 64-bar AABC, where B and C share the same melody but are
supported by different changes. The key fluctuates regularly between Bb minor and Db
major, with some cyclical-based deviation (of fourths/fifths). What is most apparent is the
123
almost constantly descending bassline that is spelt out by Mehldau’s harmonic choices,
largely a mixture of diatonic chords with some tritone substitution and harmonic
prolongation. An example of prolonged harmony can be found at bars 14–17, where a II–V–I
is played in Bb minor, however an Ebm/Bb extends the C half-diminished sonority for
another bar, before F7 at bar 16.
5.4.1. Observations
The first 16 bars of Mehldau’s solo start with an excerpt from the melody (bar 0), followed
by a motivic development drawn from the rhythm of the initial melodic statement (bars 1–2).
Vertical dissonances can be found at bar 4, as Mehldau plays an unprepared sharp ninth
followed by a perfect fourth over an Eb7. Consonance is restored in bars 6–13 with melodic
and blues material; the first A section culminates with the combined use of dissonances at
bars 14–15, as Mehldau employs sidestepping to spell C# Locrian #2 over a Cm7b5 chord (as
opposed to C Locrian #2), followed by a cultural consonance via enclosure at bar 15 beat 1
then a horizontal dissonance via a descending chromatic line at bar 15 beats 2–4. The outside
nature of this line is heightened with rhythmical dissonance, as Mehldau uses expressive
variation (straightening the swing feel), and perceptual dissonance and easing, heightening
arousal/attention.
The second 16 bars of ‘Sky Turning Grey’ start with conjunct improvisation and melodic
statements (bars 17–19), followed by a chromatic (H/D [C]) and vertical (V/D) dissonance
(bars 20–21), disjunct melody and vertical dissonance (bar 22), and finish with a largely
consonant passage containing vertical, blues, diatonic, and melodic sonorities. Expressive
variation is employed at bars 24-26 (laid back), and bars 28–30 as Mehldau plays straight
quavers.
Section B (bars 33–48) contains more melodic material (bars 33–34, 40–42), conjunct
improvisation (H/C) at bars 35–36, blues (bars 37–38, 45), motif (bars 45–47), and cultural
consonances such as a Bb minor pentatonic phrase (bars 42–44). With the exception of a
small laid-back segment (bar 38) there are almost no dissonant devices.
Section C (bars 49–64) begins with the combination of horizontal dissonance (disjunct
melodic line), a vertical dissonance (beat 1 bar 49) and expressive variation (bars 49–50)
straightening a quaver passage. A motif consisting of an ascending horizontal 4-note cell
followed by a vertical descending 4-note cell is played at bar 50, and developed at bar 51.
124
This is succeeded by chromaticism (bar 52), then blues material (bars 53–54) and a prolonged
melodic passage from bar 55 to bar 60. At bars 61–64 Mehldau uses the motif (M3) heard at
bars 51–52, combining it with diminishing dispersal (and beginning with a vertical
dissonance at bar 61 beat 1), concluding the first chorus of this solo with increased
arousal/attention.
Mehldau references the melody, combining it with a triplet figure at bars 65–66, followed by
a phrase combining chromatic horizontal dissonance with a rhythmical metric shift (groups of
four triplets implying a new tactus) at bars 68–69. This is followed by conjunct melodicism
using romantic-like sixth leaps (bar 69), a blues figure (bar 72), and a set of syncopated stabs
(bars 73–74). At bar 74, Mehldau uses linear tonality spelling notes from G major (instead of
Gb major) and this dissonance is followed by a vertical and cultural dissonance with the use
of a D (b9) over a Db major chord at bar 75, quickly resolved to the diatonic norm with
horizontal consonance, resolving to G, the major third of Eb7. At bar 77 he spells G major
diagonal ascending vertical harmony over a Bb chord, resolving the harmonic tension via a
descending chromatic passage to more diatonic improvisation until bar 80. At bar 77
Mehldau uses temporal density to increase dissonance, combined with some expressive
variation at bar 80.
A strong transformational beat is heard in bar 81 beat 1, with two stabs followed by brief
temporal easing from bar 81 to bar 86. At bar 87 Mehldau increases temporal density with a
semiquaver-based Lydian ascending passage on A, a tritone away from Ebm7, before
resolving rhythmic and harmonic dissonance with a line derived from Bb harmonic minor
(using harmonic generalisation). From bar 89, Mehldau eases temporal density and plays
blues-based and melodic material for the remainder of his solo.
5.4.2. Conclusions
Mehldau uses many organic melodic references in ‘Sky Turning Grey’ (e.g. bars 6–7, 10–11,
16–18, 24–26, 32, 40–42, 55–60). He also employs cultural norms such as sideslipping,
pentatonics, harmonic generalisation, and extensive use of the blues. Mehldau uses many of
the dissonances that he has within his employ including vertical, horizontal and rhythmical,
and he often combines dissonances to create hyper-dissonances (e.g. bars 14–15). Mehldau
employs temporal density to aid the climax of his solo, and chooses either to (1) maintain
C/D relationships within each hypermeter, neither increasing nor decreasing arousal/attention
125
(e.g. bars 33–48), or (2) build arousal/attention during the end of each section of the form
(e.g. bars 61–64).
Mehldau often precedes hyper-dissonances with rests (e.g. bars 76 and 86); the lack of
activity found in bars prior to hyper-dissonant activity helps the perceived salience of the
phrase (see Huron, 2006, p. 328). One of the most distinct features of this solo is the fact that
Mehldau uses strong vertical and horizontal dissonances very early on; it could be argued that
Mehldau’s normative improvisational concept involves more consonant phrases at the
beginning of his solo, but in ‘Sky Turning Grey’ clear examples of early dissonance can be
found (e.g. bars 4, 14, 20–21).
5.5. ‘Blame It On My Youth’
‘Blame It On My Youth’ is a jazz standard written by Oscar Levant and Edward Heyman in
1934. The transcription shown in Figures 68–70 is from AOT1 1 (1995). It is in Eb major and
consists of a 32-bar AB form (split into four 8-bar hypermetric sections) containing diatonic
and functional harmony. This version is performed as a ballad with Larry Grenadier on bass
and Jorge Rossy on drums, and Mehldau solos for almost one chorus before returning to the
head/coda. ‘Blame It On My Youth’ is the oldest case study in this chapter; released in 1995
it exemplifies Mehldau during his early career.
5.5.1. Observations
Mehldau begins by utilising a pickup measure into bar 1 of the form, by playing a phrase
based on a melodic dyad using the half-whole diminished scale. At bar 2 beat 2 Mehldau
plays a 2-beat motif (M1) consisting of an ascending scale followed by a descending leap to
two stabs (see Chapter 4.6.3); M1 is repeated at bar 3 beats 1–2. At bar 4 beats 1–2 a new
motif (M2) is heard, consisting of a horizontal line descending then ascending over two beats;
M2 is repeated at bar 4 beats 3–4 and bar 5 beats 1–2. After a brief cultural consonance, at
bar 6 Mehldau rests for three beats creating expectation before a long, rhythmically dense,
perceptually fluctuating phrase is heard descending an octave from Ab (using F harmonic
minor), ascending through F Dorian, descending via 2 chromatic passages, and ascending
using harmonic destabilisation over Bb7 (see Chapter 4.5.3) before he uses chromaticism to
link into a consonant phrase at bar 8. The hypermeter concludes at bars 8–9 with vertical
consonance followed by chromaticism (bar 8 beat 1), followed by a 2-beat motif (M3) with
stabs heard at bar 8 beats 3–4 and bar 8 beat 4 to bar 9 beat 2.
126
The next hypermeter (bars 10–17) begins with a 2-beat pickup phrase based on Eb super
Locrian (a cultural consonance), followed by M1, repeated from bar 2 beats 3–4 and bar 3
beats 1–2. At bar 12 (after a 6 beat rest), Mehldau uses a disjunct melodic opening statement,
combined with a vertical dissonance (and cultural dissonance as a major seventh is spelt over
a dominant chord) to create contrastive valance when preceding a consonant descending
arpeggio at the end of beat 3.
Blame It On My Youth Transcription

from AOT1, Brad Mehldau Trio, 1995
B !7
b œ nœ bœ œ bœ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
&b bc Œ ‰
3 3 3 3 3 3
C/C (Half Whole Diminished Scale)
E !maj7 Fm7 Gm7 Fm7 Edim7

C7 -
C/C (C)
b œœ . . œ .
& b b œ œ œ. ≈ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ ≈œ Œ ‰ n œ œ œ œ œ . Ó ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œJ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ
3 3 3 3
3 3 3 3 3
2 .k k
C/C (C) H/C (M2.1)
B !7
H/C (M1) H/C (M2)
œ. œ œ n œ b œ
H/C (M1.1) C/C (C)
Fm7 Fm7 Edim7
H/C (P/E)
b œœ
& b b ‰ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ bœ œ œ œ œ Ó Œ
3 3 3 3
5
O/C (M) + H/C (M2.2)
C/C (Harmonic Minor Scale)
F #m7
R/D (T/D)
F7
# œ œ œ n B7B !7sus
œ œ bœ œ
H/D (C)
F7sus œ n œ
b œ œ œ œ n œ b œ œ b œ œ œ n œ # œ
& b b œœœ œ œ œ œ œ œ nœ
3
7
O/D (Ha/D) - Bb7
H/D (C) V/D (H)
H/D (C)
H/D (P/D)
E !maj7 E !7
Cm7 B !m7
H/C (M3.1)
b b ® œ œ œ n œ œ œ ≈ b œ œ œ œ. œ œ ≈ œ œ œ ® Œ ≈ b œ n œ b œ b œ
V/C H/D (C) H/C (M3) H/D
& b œ œ œ. œk . œ œ nœ
8
C/C (C)
C/C (C)
B !7
H/C (P/E) C/C (Superlocrian scale)
B- !7/A ! n>œ b œb>œ œ n>œ œ

H/C (T/E)
A !maj7 . Gm7 Cm7 Fm7

œ. ‰ œ œ . œ œ ≈ œ. ≈ -œ Ó
V/D/C/D
bbb .
Œ‰ . œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œb œ œ
& œ J J R
10
H/C (M1.2) V/D/C/C
C/C (C) V/D C/C V/C
R/D (T/D)
Figure 68: ‘Blame It On My Youth’ – page 1
127
BlameItOnMyYouth/2
E !maj7
œ œ̆ œ œ œ >œ œ. >œ œ œ >œ b œ3. œ n>œ n œ # œ
H/C (M4)
n œ
3
b bb œ #œ ® œ
&
13
V/D/C/C H/C (M4.1) H/D (L/T)
H/D (P/D)
Dm7(! 5) -œ œ. -œ œ G7alt œ bœ
H/D (C) H/C
œ
H/C
b n œ b œ œ bœ œ nœ œ
&b b ® ‰ ® œ œ œ bœ nœ
3
14
H/D (C)
Cm7 F7 3
H/C (P/E)
b œ . nœ œ . bœ œ
&b b ≈ œ œ ≈ œ œ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ . Ó
3 3
15
.k
C/C (C)
H/C (M5) + H/D (C) H/C (M2.3)
B !7
R/D (T/D) + H/D (P/D) - H/C (P/E)
Fm7(! 5) > œ >

œ œ n œ b œ bœ œ bœ
>
b œ nœ bœ œ œ œ œ nœ bœ nœ œ œ
3 5
& b b ‰.
3
œ
3 3 3
17
R >
H/C (M2.4)
C/C (Dim) V/D + C/C
C/D
E !maj7 Fm7
H/D (P/D) - H/C (P/E)
Gm7 C7
b . . . . - r œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
& b b œ œ œ œJ œ ‰ . œ œ œ œ œ œ n œ b œ n œ œ b œ n œ ® œ bœ nœ
5 C/C 5
3 3 5
18
R/C (T/B) H/C (M6) H/C (M6.2)
H/C (M6.1)
Fm7
R/D (T/D) + R/D (M/S)
Fm7 Edim7 b œ n œ -œ œ . -œ œ B !7 œ. -œ œ Fm7 œ. -œ Edim7 œ. -œ œ

œ
b . œ ‰ ≈ bœ œ Œ≈ b œ œ ≈ œ œ
3
& b b œ œ
... œ Œ‰ ≈ œ
20
R
C/C (C) C/C H/C (M7)
R/C (T/B) H/C (M7.1) H/C (M7.2) H/C (M7.3)
128
BlameItOnMyYouth/3
H/C (M7.6)
Fm7 . -œ œ
œ B !7 . -œ œ
œ E !maj7 œ. -œ Cm7
H/C (M7.4) H/C (M7.5)
b bœ œ ≈ œ nœ
&b b ≈ ≈ nœ bœ Ó
23
.
H/C (P/E)
B !m7n -
œ # œ œ b œ -œ b Em7
5
. œ
œ
A7
.
œ nœ bœ nœ bœ œ bœ œ
b bœ œ bœ
& b b ‰ ≈ ® RÔ ® nœ bœ bœ
25
H/D
V/D H/D (C)
A !maj7
R/D (T/D)
Bœ !7/A !
O/D (Ha/D) - Eb7
œ -œ œ b œ n -œ œ œ
& bbb œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰.
26 œ œ
H/C (M8)
C/C
Gm7(! 5)
V/C (D)
C7
Fm7 B !7
b #œ nœ œ bœ œ œ >œ3 œ b>œ œ3 œ j
&b b ≈ œ Œ ≈œœœ œ œ.
3
œ
3
27
V/D H/C (M8.1)
H/C
G7 C7 Fm7 Edim7
& bbb ˙ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ
29
O/C (M)
In holistic terms, Mehldau combines vertical and horizontal dissonances with rhythmic
density (bars 12–14), a horizontal consonance via M4 (bar 13), and perceptual fluctuation
(bars 12–16), before easing dissonances using romantic and ‘classical’ melodic elements (a
turn, a chromatic compound melody [M5], and large leaps) that end at bar 16. Mehldau
completes the hypermeter starting with M2.3 and M2.4 (bar 15 beat 4 and bar 17 beat 2),
succeeded by an ascending horizontal passage derived from a Bb7 half-whole diminished
scale (with the addition of Eb, a culturally dissonant natural fourth) and followed by a
129
vertically dissonant culturally consonant descending arpeggio (Gb major over Bb7, i.e.
Gb7#5#9). Due to the increased temporal density and perceptual dissonance during the
phrase at bar 17, a transformational beat is heard re-establishing consonance at the beginning
of bar 18.
The next hypermetric section (bars 18–25) begins with a motif (M6) derived from the melody
of ‘Blame It On My Youth’ at bar 18 beat 4. This motif is repeated twice and ascends
creating perceptual and rhythmical dissonance (temporal density and a brief metric shift)
before another transformational beat is sounded at bar 20 beat 1. From bar 20, a motif (M7)
consisting of a small descending interval followed by a larger ascending interval (e.g. bar 21
beat 3) is played and repeated for 5 bars until bar 24. This motif is also romantic in nature,
employing chromatic melodic shape with larger leaps. The hypermetric section concludes
with another example of Mehldau using space to create expectation before a hyper-
dissonance is sounded. At bar 25 Mehldau combines perceptual easing, chromaticism,
disjunct melodicism, harmonic destabilisation (Em7–A7 instead of Eb7), and temporal
density in a descending phrase that descends in bar 25, than ascends using consonance before
temporally easing during bar 26 beat 3. This solo is concluded with motivic material (M8) at
bar 27 combined with a vertical dissonance (bar 27 beat 1) and a return to the melody at bar
30.
5.5.2. Conclusions
This solo was recorded early on in Mehldau’s career and it is markedly different to the other
case studies. For example, more cultural consonances can be found (e.g. bars 1, 6, 9, 17 and
25); Mehldau also uses stabs extensively (e.g. bars 2, 3, 5 and 9), although these are not
always placed on a downbeat. He refers to the melody less in this solo, but uses motivic
consonance regularly (e.g. bars 2–5, 10 and 19) and his improvisation also contains a marked
amount of romantic melodicism (bars 14–15 and 21–24). Mehldau employs the use of space
for several beats before hyper-dissonances (e.g. bars 6, 11, 16, and 24), which often begin
with perceptual easing (e.g. bars 12, 6 and 25). Even this early in Mehldau’s career there is
still evidence of vertical dissonance combined with cultural dissonances (e.g. bar 12), even
when a phrase is relatively consonant (e.g. bar 27 beat 1). Even though Mehldau uses pickup
measures that break hypermetric phrasing, there is no hypermetric dissonance, as the phrases
aren’t considered long enough to be breaking organic schema.
130
5.6. ‘Highway Rider’
‘Highway Rider’ is a composition from the 2010 album of the same name and the recording
consists of bass, drums and pump organ (overdubbed). ‘Highway Rider’ is played in a ‘drum
and bass’ style, with Matt Chamberlain (drums) providing a rhythmically dense backdrop to
Mehldau’s contrastingly slow-paced melodic and harmonic framework. A melody that is
largely syncopated and horizontal is supported by harmony developed and transposed from
an initial diatonic harmonic gambit Cm7–Ebmaj7/Bb–Abmaj7–Abmaj7. In terms of form, the
intro is 8 bars long followed by an ABAC strophe; all sections are 24 bars in length with the
exception of C, which is extended by 4 bars to 28. Unusually, the groove is broken during the
last 8 bars of each section, as the bass and drums drop out; Mehldau chooses to solo for the
ABA before returning to the head at the beginning of section C.
5.6.1. Observations
The initial 24 bars of Mehldau’s solo (see Figures 71–74) in ‘Highway Rider’ begins with a
2-bar motif (M1) played using a 1-bar pickup into the beginning of the form, lasting 2 bars
(bars 1–2). After an organic consonance and the use of space, M1 is played again at bars 5–6
and is characterised by a horizontal passage followed by a descending perfect fifth, ending
with a 3-note rhythmic suffix. At bar 8, a second motif (M2) consisting of three quavers
followed by two semiquavers is stated then answered in a quasi-antiphonal manner at bar 9;
M2 juxtaposes three vertical dissonances (flat nine and major third over Fm7, and a G triad
anticipating G7 in the next bar) with horizontal consonance with the use of motif. A fragment
of melody is played at bars 10–12, before a fragment of the second motif is stated again at the
end of bar 12. At bar 13 horizontal dissonance (linear tonality) is created via a line (pushed
forward using expressive variation) anticipating A major, the succeeding chord at bar 14. At
bar 15 a reference to the melody is played before a 2-bar metrically asynchronous passage is
stated during bars 16–17. This rhythmically dissonant passage is supported with consonance
by way of a descending compound melody (descending F major scale) from bar 15 beat 2 to
bar 17 beat 1. M3 precedes a stabilising transformational beat at the beginning of bar 18. The
A section of this solo finishes with 8 bars without the groove and during this time Mehldau
combines horizontal consonance by way of M3 with additional vertical dissonances (bar 19
beats 1 and 3, bar 20 beat 1, bar 21 beat 3), resolving to diatonic statements and M2 during
bars 22–25.
131
Highway Rider Transcription

From Highway Rider, Brad Mehldau, 2010
H/C (M1)
A Cm7
b
&b bc ‰ œJ œ œ œ œ œ . œ œ œ. œ œ œ ˙
1
O/C (M)
E !maj7/B ! A !N
b
H/C (M1.1)
&b b ∑ ∑ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3 œ œ. .
E !maj7/G
G !dim7
H/C (M2)
Fm7
& bbb œ Œ
œ b œ n œ œ nœ ≈ nœ
6
œ ˙ ˙ .. #œ œ œ œ
V/D V/D (D)
H/C (M2.1) O/C (M)
œ œ G7 CN/E B !m7 j
b n œ œ œ
& b b œ nœ Œ œ Œ Œ Œ
œ
œ ˙ œ œ.
◊
9
Amaj7/C #
R/D (E/V)
E !7 A !maj7
b œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ n œ œ # œ3 n œ n œ œ3 œ œ nœ
&b b ˙
3
nœ ˙ .
12
(◊) H/C (M2.2)
H/D (L/T)
F #m7
H/C (Compound Melody)
Gm7 F7
œ
O/C (M)
b n œ n œ œ #œ œ nœ œ œ nœ œ bœ nœ bœ œ
& b b ≈ œ nœ œ
3
œ n œ
3
nœ nœ œœ œ
15
H/C (M3)
D !maj7/A !
R/D (M/A)
B !m7 G !maj7
b bœ . j nœ #œ nœ
&b b nœ bœ œ œ nœ bœ nœ . œœ
3 3
18
nœ œ nœ œ bœ œ
H/C (M3.1) H/C (M3.2)
R/C (T/B) V/D V/D H/C (M3.3)
V/D V/D
Figure 71: ‘Highway Rider’ Transcription – page 1
132
HighwayRider/2
F #m7 Amaj7/E
bb œ # œ n œ n œ # œ # œ œ . # œJ # œ . œj œ . # œJ
V/D + C/D
& b #œ . #œ œ
21 nœ œ
Dmaj7 B Dm7
H/C (M3.4) R/C
& bbb j #œ #œ nœ nœ #œ ≈ œ nœ nœ n œ ‰ œj Œ
24 # ˙ .. nœ nœ œ
F #Z ! 9 F #7(b9)
H/C (M2.3)
E7alt
b j
& b b Ó. œ nœ nœ nœ . œ ˙ Œ ‰. r
27 nœ b˙
O/C (M)
R/D (T/D) H/C
Gmaj7 GN
b œ n œ œ œ œ œœ œ
& b b Ó. ‰ n œ
œ nœ #œ œ œ
œ # œ nœ œ nœ
30
V/D V/D
O/C (M)
C #7 F #7(b9)
b ‰ nœ #œ
V/D
& b b œ nœ nœ nœ œ #œ œ #œ #œ œ œ nœ nœ #œ #œ #œ Œ
32 nœ
H/D (L/T) H/C V/C (D)
B !maj7 E !m7 D !maj7/A ! œ œ .

R/C (T/E)
œ œ bœœ G !maj7
œb œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ .. # œ # œ œ . J
H/D (L/T)
b bb œ ˙ Ó
& œ J
34
O/C (M)
œ œ nœ #œ #œ #œ œ œ œ
H/D (P/D) - H/C (P/E)
G !m7(! 5) G !dim7
œ n œ #œ nœ œ
V/D
b Œ ‰ n œ n œ # œ # œ nn œœ
V/D
&b b Ó
38
H/D (L/T) H/D (C)
V/D (D) A LAP
GZ ! 9
V/D (D)
G7œ Cm7
b œ œ#œ œ nœ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ . Œ . œ œ œ œ œ œ .
R/D (T/D) H/C (M4.1)
H/C (M4)
b
& b œœ œœœ œœœ œ J
40
V/C
133
HighwayRider/3
E !maj7/B ! A !N
b b Œ ‰ Ó
& b œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ. œ
43
H/C (M4.2) R/C (P/E)
w
Cm7 E !maj7/B !
R/D (T/D) - R/C (T/E)
#œ #œ
bbb ∑ Ó ≈ œ
5
& #œ nœ
46 nœ nœ #œ
A !N
H/D (L/T)
nœ #œ œ œ œ nœ œ œ œ
V/D (D) D LAP
b nœ œ œœ œœ
&b b
V/D
œ œ œ œ œ œ n œœ b œ œ œ
3
48
œ
V/D (D) H/C (M5) H/C (M5.1) H/C (M5.2)
A !N
V/C (D)
Cm7 E !maj7/B !
A
b bb ∑ Ó œ œ œ œœ ≈œœ œ Œ ≈ ≈ œ ‰ Ó
& œœ
50 œ œ
O/C (M)
E !maj7/G G !dim7 #œ #œ nœ œ œ œ bœ œ nœ
R/D (T/D)
bbb ∑ ≈ œ
54
&
nœ œ #œ #œ nœ
V/D (D) LAP H/D (C)
V/C (D) H/D (P/D)
Fm7 G7 √
œ
bb œ œ œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ
œ œ œ œ nœ #œ œ œ nœ
œ
H/D (L/T)
& b œ œ œ
56 œ n œ œ
B !m7 E !7
C/C (B)
(√) CN/Eœ œ œ3 œ ˙
nœ œ bœ bœ œ ˙ œ œ3 œ œ œ3 œ
H/D (L/T)
b bb œ œ œ ‰ œœ
& œœ
58
O/C (M)
A !maj7 Amaj7/C #
H/D
bbb ˙ n œ œ # œ n œ n œ ‰ Œ ‰ œ Gm7 nœ #œ
& Ó œ ˙.
61
O/C (M) O/C (M)
134
HighwayRider/4
F #m7 D !maj7/A !
R/D (M/S)
F7 B !m7
b b n œ . n œ ‰ œj ˙
V/D
& b Œ ‰ œ œ Œ œ œ . ‰ œ œ Œ œ œ ‰ ‰ œ Œ œ œ ‰ œ nœ . œ
64
J
G !maj7 F #m7
b
& b b ˙. bœ œ œ œ bœ œ nœ nœ #œ ˙ nœ nœ #œ
3 3
68
H/C H/D (L/T) H/C
Amaj7/E Dmaj7
bb
& b œ #œ #˙ j ∑
71 œ œ #œ . œ ˙
After stating the melody twice (bars 27–28 and 30–31), Mehldau employs temporal density
and perceptual dissonance as primary tools for section B (bars 26–49), beginning with a near
diatonic phrase (with occasional vertical dissonances, e.g. bar 31 beats 2 and 4) followed by
linear tonality (D minor imposed on C#7 – C# super Locrian mode). After a horizontal
consonance followed by a vertical dissonance and vertical consonance (bars 32–33), Mehldau
uses linear tonality by playing a phrase in Db major over a Bb major chord, creating a
dissonance for the whole of bar 34 before resolving to a consonant state at bar 35 using a
combination of temporal easing, diatonic note choices, and a restatement of the melody at
bars 36–37. He then uses space, generating expectation at bars 37–38 before combining
temporal density, perceptual, vertical and horizontal dissonances during bars 39–40 with a
phrase that begins with a LAP (see Chapter 4.2.4) in A at bar 38 beat 4 (over a Gb diminished
chord), followed by an E minor arpeggio containing two dissonant dyads (bar 39 beats 1–2),
then a passage in Gb major (bar 39 beat 3) before a descending chromatic passage. By bar 40,
temporal density is the only remaining dissonance as horizontal, vertical, and perceptual
dissonances stop in the previous bar. The temporal density gradually decreases as the drums
and bass drop out at bar 42, and Mehldau plays a rhythmically dense single-note motif (M4)
from bar 41 to bar 43. A 6-beat rest occurs at bars 46–47, before a phrase is played containing
perceptual dissonance (then easing) and temporal density. It begins vertically dissonant,
resolves to a vertical consonance, and concludes with a horizontal consonance (bars 47–49).
135
This is achieved via linear tonality (E major over Eb major), followed by a LAP (D over Eb
major), then a descending vertical dissonance (D over Ab major). As perceptual dissonance
decreases linear activity becomes diatonic (bar 48 beats 2–4) then motivic via a repeated 3-
beat dactylic motif (M5) during bar 49.
The last hypermeter (over A) begins with a phrase derived from a melodic quote (from bar 51
beat 3), and is followed by a 6-beat rest, generating expectation (bars 53–54). At bars 55–60,
a relatively long phrase is played containing the highest level of perceptual dissonance and
temporal density in the solo. This signifies the culmination of the solo and follows a concept
of ‘wave’-based dissonance creation, where each section of improvisation contains more
dissonance (in particular temporal density and perceptual dissonance). The 5-bar phrase in
question begins with a D LAP followed by a descending chromatic passage, a descending
vertical consonance (bar 56 beats 1–2), and the linear tonality of G7 (anticipated from the
succeeding chord at bar 57 beat 3). At beat 4 of bar 57 a blues figure is heard through to bar
58; the phrase concludes with a slight anticipation to Bbm7 at bar 59, and a reiteration of the
melody, an organic consonance, at bars 59–60. Two more organic consonances are played
(bar 62 and bars 63–64) before bass and drums drop out at bar 66. Mehldau plays a metric
shift based on a dotted crotchet pulse from bar 65 to bar 67 which is followed by a distinct
vertical dissonance (flat seventh over a Db major chord) at bar 67 beat 3. Finally, after a brief
harmonic anticipation at bar 69 beat 4, Mehldau resolves the solo using horizontal
consonances.
5.6.2. Conclusions
The piano solo in ‘Highway Rider’ illustrates Mehldau’s adhesion to melody, which is
combined with a motivic strategy that (1) binds sections together, and (2) eases sections of
hyper-dissonance. The solo builds in waves, with the greatest amount of perceptual
dissonance occurring during the culmination. Events such as metric asynchronicity (bars 16–
17) and metric shift (bars 65–66) are placed within a context of horizontal consonances and
often conclude with a transformational beat, resolving the rhythmical dissonance (e.g. bar 18
beat 1). This aligns with Liebman’s (2005, p. 13) slack theory: as one element is emphasised
(such as rhythm), another is de-emphasised (such as harmony/melody). Mehldau regularly
uses vertical dissonances, even during sections of temporal consonance/easing (e.g. bar 8 beat
1, bars 20, 21 and 67), and also employs typical devices such as anticipation (e.g. bar 13) and
sideslipping (e.g. bar 47). A marked example of linear tonality is found at bar 34, with use of
136
a Db major phrase over a Bb major phrase creating individual vertical dissonances of flat
third, flat sixth and flat seventh.
5.7. ‘Anything Goes’
‘Anything Goes’ is a standard, written in 1934 by Cole Porter for the musical of the same
name, and has been adapted by Mehldau in several ways: (1) there is a change of time
signature from 4/4 to 5/4, (2) the form has been extended from a 32-bar to 34-bar AABA
where the last two bars mirror bars 31–32, extending the turnaround, and (3) the last A has
been partially reharmonised, incorporating a descending bassline (see Figures 75–78). During
this particular recording (from Anything Goes, 2004), Larry Grenadier plays a bass solo over
a chorus before the piano solo. The coda is a repetition of the intro and turnaround, a Tadd
Dameron-like chord sequence consisting of F–Ab–Db–Gb, which is played in F major during
the intro and alternates between F and Eb during the coda.
5.7.1. Observations
The A section is 8 bars long and consists of mainly consonant devices, beginning with a
diagonal vertical consonance combined with a slowly ascending compound melody from A
(bar 1 beat 1) to C (bar 2 beat 2). Bar 3 begins with a vertical dissonance (perfect fourth over
Fmaj7) followed by rhythmic and horizontal consonances (bar 3), then a phrase based on the
major blues scale (bar 4), and finally a consonant motif (M1) derived from F minor
pentatonic from bar 5 to bar 8.
The second A section contains more dissonance, starting at bar 9 with a combination of
diminishing dispersal and metric asynchronicity. The hypermeter begins harmonically
consonant during bars 9–10 but as the metric asynchronicity eases, linear tonality is
introduced by spelling A, G# minor, F# minor, E and D tonalities during bar 11, before
resolving to diatonic and blues material during bar 12. Rhythmic dissonance is eased for the
remainder of the section, and a motif (M2) characterised by descending and ascending large
consonant intervals is heard from bar 13 to bar 15.
The B section begins with a 1-bar pickup measure (bar 16), which consists of a chromatic
approach to a repetitive consonant melodic dyad that is played using metric asynchronicity
during bars 16–18. This is followed by a 3-beat motif (M3) built on a triplet figure lasting
from bar 18 to bar 20. The final four bars of the B section begins with a phrase containing
137
metric asynchronicity and horizontal perceptual easing, combined with diminishing dispersal
(bars 21–24) and utilising motif (M4) at bars 22–23. An ascending scale-based motif (M5)
starts at bar 23 beat 3 and continues to the end of bar 25, breaking the hypermeter by 2 bars
(bars 25–26; see Chapter 4.5.2: Phrase Rhythm/Hypermetric Dissonance).
Anything Goes Transcription

From Anything Goes, Brad Mehldau Trio, 2004
H/C - Compound Melody
Fmaj7 Gm7/C Fmaj7 Gm7/C

> œ3
A1
& b 45 œ œ œ œ œ œœœœ œ . nœ œ œ Œ Ó
3 3 3
1 >œœ>œœ>œœ >
V/C (D) C/C

> j
&b œ œ œ Ó Œ œ œ bœ nœ œ
3
œ œ. œ
3
Fm7/B ! B !7 B ! m7/E ! E !7
V/D R/C + H/C C/C (B)
& b œ œ œ Œ b˙
3
œ bœ œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ
5 > > > >
H/C (M1) + C/C (B) H/C (M1.1)
Fmaj9 E ! m9/D ! B !(add9) F #Madd4

& b ≈ bœ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ ‰ œj ‰ œ. Œ Ó
5
3
7 > >
H/C (M1.2)
V/C
A2 Fmaj7 Gm7/C Fmaj7 Gm7/C

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ bœ
H/D (C)
&b œœ œ ‰œ ‰ œ‰œ ‰œœ

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
9 œ œ
R/D (M/A) + R/D (D/D)
H/D (L/T) A major G# minor F# minor E major D major C/C (B)
Fmaj7 Fmaj7 Gm7/C F7

& b œ# œ œ n œ # œ œ œ œ œ
#œ œ œ œ œ œ n œ œ œ nœ bœ œ nœ
#œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ bœ œ #œ
11
Fm7/B ! B ! 7 B ! m7/E ! E !7
œ œ ˙. bœ œ œ œ œ
&b ‰ bœ bœ
3
œ
13
R/C (T/E) + H/C (M2) H/C (M2.1)
Figure 75: ‘Anything Goes’ Transcription – page 1
138
AnythingGoes/2
Fmaj9 E ! m9/D ! B !(add9) E7 5
œ nœ œ œ
&b œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Œ
3
œ
œ œ #œ
3
E7(#5)
15
B Amaj7
H/C (M2.2)
H/D (C) R/D (M/A) + V/C (D)
œ œ œ
&b nœ œ œ œ œ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œœ
H/D (L/T)
œœ
7 3 3
Amaj7/C #
17
Cmaj7 œ œ
œœ œ Œ #œ œ œ Œ
H/C (M3)
& b Œ Œ ‰ œ nœ Œ Œ œ
3 3
19
G7
H/C (M3.1) C/C H/C (M3.2)
œ3 n œ œ3 œ Cœ#m73
H/C (M4.1) R/C
Dm7
H/C (M4)
œ œ # œ # œ œ œ # œ Cmaj7 œ n œ
œ nœ œ œœ
3
&b œ Œ Œ ‰ ‰ ‰‰
3 3
21
R/D (M/A) + R/D (D/D) + H/C (P/E)
E ! m9/D ! B !(add9) F #Madd4

H/C (M4.2)
Fmaj9
bœ œ nœ #œ œ
H/D (L/T)
& b œ œ œ œ œ œ œ bœ bœ œ ≈ bœ bœ ≈ œ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ œ ≈ œ œ ‰ œ
3
23
Cm6/E !
H/C (M5) H/C (M5.1) H/C (M5.2)
A3 C/E
Gm7/C
œ #œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ bœ nœ #œ œ
Dm7
œ
H/C
b ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œŒ Œ
& J œ œ œ
3
25
H/C (M5.3) H/C (M5.4)
Fm7/B ! B !7
O/D (Hy/D)
Fmaj7 œ F7 œ
# œ # œ œ œ # œ œ œ nœ œ
&b Œ Œ Œ ≈ œ≈ #œ œ Œ Œ
3 3
#œ œ
27
H/D (L/T) E Major
Fm7/B ! B !7 B ! m7/E ! E !7
H/D (L/T) A Major
&b œ œ œ ˙ œ bœ œ œ œ b œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œj œ œ œ
3 3
29
H/C (M6) + H/D (P/D) H/C (M6.1) H/C (M6.2) H/C (M6.3)
139
AnythingGoes/3

Fmaj9
œ
V/D
& b Œ bœ œ œ œ bœ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ
33
3
31
Fmaj9 E ! m9/D ! B !(add9)

H/C (M6.4) H/C (M6.5)
F #Madd4 œ3 œ
˙. bœ œ œ œ
&b bœ œ œ ˙ ‰ œ œ
3
œ
3
33
A1 Fmaj7 Gm7/C Fmaj7 Gm7/C

H/C (M6.6) H/C (M6.7)
œ. œ œ œ3 œ œ
‰ œJ ‰ œJ ‰ œ œ
& b œ. œ Œ œ œ œ Œ ≈ œJ .
3 3
35 J
Gm7/C Fmaj7 F7
Fmaj7 b œœ .. œ œ œ œ
H/C (M6.8)
œ œ œ œ
H/C
.
≈ œJ œ œ œ Œ œ
5
≈ œJ .
j
&b œ œ œ œ
#œ 3
37
Fm7/B ! B !7 B ! m7/E !
R/D (M/A)
E !7
V/D
H/C (M6.9)
3 œ
œ œ œ3 œ œ3 œ œ3 œ œ3 œ b œ b œ œ b œ
4
&b ‰ ‰ ‰J‰ œ bœ œ œ œ
39

Fmaj9
j
&b nœ . ‰ œ Œ
3
œ œ œ œ w
r
œ
bœ
41
Gm7/C
œ œ œ.
H/C (P/E) + R/C
œ nœ bœ œ œ
H/C (M7.1) H/C (M7.2)
A2 Fmaj7 Gm7/C Fmaj7
œ
œ œ œœ
H/C (M7)
b ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J
& œ
43 œœ œœ
H/D (C)

H/D (P/D) + R/D (T/D)
# œ # œ œ# œ# œ œ n œ n œ œ œ œ œ
H/D (L/T)
&b œ œ # œ n œ œ œn œ œ œ b œ œ œ
œ œ
5
45
H/D (L/T) E Major H/C (M8)
H/C
140
AnythingGoes/4
B ! m7/E !
Fm7/B ! B !7 b œ œ3 œ ˙ E !7
œ œ ˙ œ3 œ œ
&b Œ ‰ Œ ‰ œ
3
E ! m9/D ! B !(add9)
47
H/C (M8.1)
Fmaj9 E7
H/C (8.2)
b œ œ ˙ Œ ‰ bœ bœ
3
œ œ œ œ œ œ B
& J œ.
49
H/C (M8.3) O/C (M)
The final A section of the first chorus (bars 25–34) is 10 bars long and after hypermetric
dissonance (bars 25–26), two bars of horizontal dissonance via linear tonality are played
spelling A major and E major over bars 27 and 28 respectively. From bar 29 to bar 34
Mehldau combines consonance via a motif (M6) derived from a lower mordent (bar 29 beat
1) that develops into a turn (bar 29 beat 4). With the exception of bar 34 beat 1, the intervals
used in M6 gradually increase from a major second at bar 29 to an octave at bar 35, creating
perceptual dissonance that culminates at bar 35.
The next A section begins with sustained perceptual dissonance from the previous chorus,
combined with horizontal consonance via repetition (and increasing onset frequency) of the
third of F major (A) during bars 35, 36 and 37. Two more occurrences of M6 occur, one at
bar 36 beat 5 and the other at bar 38 beat 1. At bar 38 beat 3 a vertical triadic dissonance is
heard which prefixes a section containing metric asynchronicity lasting through bars 39 and
40, before resolving both rhythmically and perceptually at bars 41–42, marking the end of the
section.
The final A section of Mehldau’s improvised solo begins with a temporally dense 2-beat
convex motif (M7) that slowly ascends within the section, creating horizontal perceptual
dissonance. A chromatic passage at bar 44 beat 5 precedes more linear tonality (bar 45 beats
1–2) followed by horizontal consonance (beats 3–4) and another final dissonant beat (beat 5)
before becoming temporally and horizontally consonant (via M8) for the remainder of the
solo.
141
5.7.2. Conclusions
The piano solo in ‘Anything Goes’ has no melodic references, but contains more rhythmic
asynchronicity than is found in the previous case studies. Mehldau employs a similar strategy
when improvising over the opening two A sections (A1 and A2): consonant/motivic-
dissonant/harmonic, and the use of hypermetric dissonance between B and A3 is
uncharacteristic of a solo of this size. He also employs motif heavily in this solo, primarily
based on consonant small 2-beat cells often inspired by ‘classical’ ornamentation.
5.8. ‘Elegy For William Burroughs And Allen Ginsberg’
‘Elegy For William Burroughs And Allen Ginsberg’ was written for a solo piano album
entitled Elegiac Cycle (1999), consisting of nine conceptually linked melodies (see Andre,
2011, p. 16). It is a ballad played using (1) a slow piano-stride style in G major at 60bpm, (2)
a 16-bar form, and (3) the melody derived from an anapaestic short-short-long theme (p. 15),
and as the name suggests it contains many musical elements found in romantic music. This
chapter is primarily focused on Mehldau’s improvisation; for a detailed analysis of ‘Elegy
For William Burroughs And Allen Ginsberg’ and other compositions found in Elegiac Cycle,
see Andre (2011).
5.8.1. Observations
After a pickup measure containing a consonant ascending arpeggio, the first 8 bars of ‘Elegy
For William Burroughs And Allen Ginsberg’ begins with a phrase based on alternations
between B and D, harmonised mainly by dyads spelling intervals ranging from a minor
second to a major sixth, from bar 2 to bar 4 (see Figures 79–82). At bar 5 Mehldau plays the
melody, supported by a vertical dissonance (beat 1), followed by more melodic material and a
vertical consonance (beat 3). At bar 6 Mehldau plays a blues passage containing a vertical
dissonance and chromaticism, which resolves to a horizontal consonance for the remainder of
the bar. The end of the 8-bar hypermeter concludes with an increase of temporal density and
perceptual dissonance in bar 7 and easing in bar 8. Mehldau alternates between vertical
diagonal consonances and chromatic dissonances for the duration.
At bars 9–10 Mehldau combines vertical consonance with horizontal dissonance in a phrase
based largely on quaver triplets, culminating with a transformational beat at the beginning of
bar 11. As discussed previously in Chapter 4.7.5, Mehldau employs temporal density/easing
142
and perceptual dissonance/consonance from bars 11–12, using a major blues scale in bar 11
beat 3. He then combines perceptually fluctuating vertical consonances with a descending
horizontal chromatic dissonance, resolving to the third of Em (G), concluding the phrase with
consonance via vertical (bar 13, beat 1), horizontal (bar 13 beat 2, bar 14), and cultural means
(bar 13 beats 3–4). The hypermeter concludes with a temporally denser reiteration of the
melody at bars 15–16.
Elegy For William Burroughs And Allen Ginsberg

From Elegiac Cyle, Brad Mehldau, 1999
transcription Gmaj7
œ œ œ œ œ
# D7
œ bœ œ œ œ ≈ œ œœ ≈ œ œ œœœœ œœœœ .... œ
& c
3
œ bœ œ J
E !J # 11 # 5
H/C
Em7 œ œœ œ œœ œ3
V/C (D)
# œœ œ œ œ œœ œœ œœ œ œ œ
&
2
j3
V/D
nn œœ œœ œj
V/D V/D
Em7
Cm(maj7)
r
3
# œœ œ œœ œœ œ œ
bœ
J .
bœ
& œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ b w .œœ. œ.œ. ≈ œ. œ b œ n œ. œ b œ n œ
w
R
Œ œœœ
3
3 3 Œ J
F7 Bm7 V/C C7/B !
Fm7/B !
C/C (B)
# bœ œ œ œ œ
& n œœ œ œ œ b œ œ œ n ˙≈ œœœœ ‰ Œ ‰œ n œ # œ œ œ œ b œ œ œ œ œ . œœ
3 5
3
5
R œ œ œ
O/C (M) H/D (C)
V/D O/C (M)
V/D H/C
R/D (T/D) + H/D (P/D) - H/D (P/E)
#
A7aug B7alt
œ œ œ #œ œ
Cmaj7 B•
& ≈ bœ nœ œ #œ
3 3
n œ œ # œ n œ œ
3
œ b œ œ
7
œ #œ nœ
H/D (C) V/C (D) H/D (C) H/D (C)
V/C (D) V/C (D)
Gm7œ # œ n œ œ b œV/C œ ! # #
H/C
# œ œ bœ œ E J 11 5 œ.
œ œœ œ œ œ . œ œ n œœ
3 3
& œ œ
8
F #m7(! 5) B7
# Œ ‰ œ œ œ
3 3
œ #œ œ #œ
3
& œ
9 œœœ ‰ Œ Ó
V/C (D) H/D (C)
3
H/D (P/D) - H/C (P/E)
Figure 79: ‘Elegy For William Burroughs And Allen Ginsberg’ Transcription – page 1
143
Elegy/2
V/C (D)
Em7 B7/F #
H/D (C)
Em7/G Em7
# œ ‰ ‰
3
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j
& œ œ
10
Ó Œ ≈ bœ œ bœ
Cm(maj7) F7 œ nœ œ œ œ
3 3
#
3
& Ó ® nœ œ bœ nœ œ bœ œ bœ nœ œ œ
11
˙ Ó C/C (B) H/C H/D (L/T)
F #m7(! 5) B7/F #
R/D (T/D) + H/D (P/D) - H/D (P/E)
R/C (T/B) 3
œ œ œ œ
V/D H/D (C)
Gmaj7 œ
œ
3
œ œœ
3
œ œ œ≈ # œœ œœ n œ # œ
3
œ
3
# œ œ œ Œ œ œ # œ
& œœœœœ J J
12
H/C V/C V/D V/C V/C 3
Dm7
V/D
G7aug A7 Em7
Em7 B•
. # œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
Dm6
# œ œ. œ
& œ œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ #œ œ ≈ ≈
13
. . .
C/C H/C
V/C H/C
Em7/A A7
Am7/D
‰ ≈ œr œ
H/D (P/D) - H/C (P/E)
D7
# ˙œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ . œ œ œ œ Ó œ bœ œ
& œœœœ œ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œ
œœ œ b œ œ œ
15 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
O/C (M)
Gmaj7 !
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ EœœNœ œ œ œ œ œ œ
# œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ
&
Em7
œ œ œ œ œ
17
# œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ
H/D (P/D) + C/D (RH Ostinato with LH melody)
& œ œ œ
19
144
Elegy/3
H/D (P/E) - H/C (P/E)
F7
3 œ bœ œ œ nœ
Cm(maj7) 3 œ
œ œ œ
H/D (C) H/C
œ b œ n œ
H/C
œ œ
3 3
# œ œ bœ nœ œ œ œ œ
3
& œ œ
20
Bm7 Fm7/B ! C7/B !

V/C (D)
O/C (M) O/C (M)
F7
b 3œœ œœ œœ 3œ œ 3œ œœ œœ œœ œœ ‰® œ œ b œ œ œ
O/C (M)
# ‰# œœ œœ œœ ≈ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ nœ #œ œ œœœ œ

3
& œ ≈ œ
21 œœ Œ Ó
V/D C/C (C)
V/D H/D (C)
R/D (T/D) - R/C (T/E) + H/D (P/D) - H/C (P/E) V/D
B7alt Cmaj7 œ œ n œ œ B•
A7aug œ b œ b œ n œ# œn œ œ œ œ # œ
# ® œ # œ œ
œ œ# œ
œn œ# œ œ œ# œ ®n œ
5
&
3
23
œ bœ #œ H/D (C) H/D (C) V/D H/D (C) C/C
V/C (D) V/D H/D (C)
V/C (D) C/C (B)
Gm7 œ E !N
H/D (C)
b œ œ n œ œ œ b œ n œ # œ œ7 b œ œ
V/C
#
V/D
œ œ œœœœœœœœ
3 3 3 3
& œ œ œœ œ
24
H/D (C)
H/C
3 œ
B7 œ
H/D (P/D) - H/C (P/E)
# œ
C/C (C)
# F #m7(! 5)
œ œ œ
# œ
3 3 3 3
œ
3
& œ œ œ
œ #œ œ œ œ
25 œ œ œ
G Em7
œ œ œ F # m7
Em7 œ œ 3œ
3
# œ œœ œ?
3
œ œ œ bœ
3 5
œ œ œ œ œœ œ
3
& œœ
3
26 œ
H/D (C)
145
Elegy/4
R/D (T/D)
R/C (T/B) H/D (P/D) - H/E (P/E)

Cm(maj7) F7 œ nœ œ œ œ
?# œ b œ
?
œ œ b œ nœ œ bœ nœ œ
27
&
œ œ œ
H/D (C)
C/C (B) R/C (T/E)
œ # œ œ œ œ n œ #
œ œ B7/F
9 H/D (C) 6
Gmaj7
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ # œœ n œœ
5
# bœnœ œ œ œ
3
œ # œ
6
œ
& œ œ œœœœœ
28
V/D V/D
V/D V/C (D) H/D (C)
V/C (D)
Em7 Dm7
B•
H/D (P/D) - H/E (P/E)
G7aug A7
Em7 Dm6 œ œ œ
# # œœ n œœ .. œœ ‰ ≈ r #œ œ œ#
# œœ # œ
# œ
œ
#œ nœ œ nœ
& œ # œ n œœ
29 Ó ‰ J
V/D
A7 Am7/D D7
O/C (M)
Em7/A
# œ˙ œ œ
#˙
œ ww
w
&
31
Bar 17 marks the beginning of the next chorus, a dyad-based ostinato is heard in the right
hand, accompanied by a left hand improvised melody at bars 17–19, creating perceptual
dissonance between parts (and also cultural dissonance as this practice is not commonplace in
the jazz piano tradition). Mehldau uses perceptual dissonance and easing in just one bar (bar
20), combining it with diagonal vertical consonance before stating the melody accompanied
by vertical dissonances and some chromaticism during bars 20–22. The final two bars of the
8-bar hypermeter contains a temporally dense, perceptu/ally ascending/descending phrase
consisting of vertical consonances separated with horizontal chromatic dissonances. Mehldau
interjects vertical dissonances (not landing on a downbeat) during the phrase (e.g. bar 23 beat
1 – G# over A7aug; bar 23 beat 4 – Bb over B13b9; and bar 24 beat 1 – B over Gm7).
For the last 8-bar hypermeter Mehldau begins by playing stabs at bar 25 beat 1, re-
establishing rhythmic consonance after the temporal density of the previous bars. This easing
146
is immediately followed by perceptual dissonance then easing from bar 25 beat 2 to bar 27
beat 1, with a largely diatonic phrase that ascends then descends over two bars, finishing with
a transformational beat at bar 27 beat 1. Another wave of P/D-P/E occurs during bars 27–28,
with phrasing containing blues material, ascending arpeggios, and some vertical and
horizontal dissonances before the melody returns at bar 29 beat 3.
5.8.2. Conclusions
Mehldau employs perceptual dissonance heavily in ‘Elegy For William Burroughs And
Ginsberg’, using the device to conclude hypermeters, either including temporal density (e.g.
bar 11–12), or maintaining relative temporal ease. Mehldau often combines vertical
consonances (often ascending) with horizontal dissonances (often descending), and interjects
vertical dissonances by way of ‘wrong’ notes, adding contrastive valence to an otherwise
largely diatonic line. There are no motifs in this solo, Mehldau uses organic consonance by
way of melody instead.
The dyad-based melodic fragment (bars 1–2) is repeated (more densely) in exactly the same
place during the second chorus, but is transformed from a feature of the solo to an ostinato
figure supporting the line below, played in the left hand. Mehldau uses transformational beats
(e.g. bars 11, 25 and 27) to re-establish rhythmic consonance after perceptual and temporal
dissonances. Mehldau states the melody reasonably frequently; sometimes he accompanies
melodic consonance with vertical dissonance, creating further contrastive valence (e.g. bars 5
and 21). Mehldau employs blues sonorities, favouring the major blues scale (e.g. bars 6, 11
and 27) over the minor blues scale (e.g. bar 23).
5.9. ‘When It Rains’
‘When It Rains’ is a composition written for Largo (2002), and arranged for piano trio (Matt
Chamberlain on drums, Larry Grenadier on bass) with a four-piece woodwind section playing
a predominately homophonic role. The intro and outro of ‘When It Rains’ is rubato piano
accompanied by woodwind during the intro; the head is in fixed time and is a relaxed groove
established largely by the constant rub of eighth-note triplets heard in the left hand of the
piano, and the straight eights played by the drums. The form of the head and solo section is
16-bar AABA, divided into 4-bar hypermeters; the improvisation lasts for three choruses (see
Figures 83–86).
147
5.9.1. Observations
Mehldau’s piano solo in ‘When It Rains’ begins with an initial motivic cell (M1), an
anapaestic 3-note based motif with a melodic interval of a perfect fourth (e.g. bar 0 beat 4–
bar 1 beat 1). A second motif (M2), a 4-beat 1-3-2-1-semiquaver-based cell, occurs at bar 1
beat 4, which is altered to a 5-3-2-1 cell at bar 2 beat 1. After a brief vertical dissonance of a
perfect fourth (F#) over C#7 at bar 2 beat 2, M2 is reiterated at bar 3 beat 4, concluding the
first hypermetric division.
At bar 5, a third motif (M3) is introduced, a 5-note cell (two semiquavers with triplet suffix)
that is repeated at bar 5 beat 3. At bar 6 a fourth motif (M4) is introduced, a 2-beat 7-note cell
consisting of three repeated notes followed by an ascending minor third then a descending
triad. This motif is repeated at bar 6 beats 3–4. At bar 7 a B minor linear tonality is played,
followed by a reiteration of M1 at bar 7 beat 4. A fifth motif (M5) is played at bar 8 beat 1
and is based on the pattern 3-4-5-6-5, played over the duration of only one beat. The
hypermeter concludes with a vertical consonance that is combined with a vertical dissonance
at bar 8 beat 4.
A sixth motif (M6) marks the beginning of the B section, a descending 5-4-3-1 figure (in B
major) that is repeated three times during bar 9 before M1 is played at bar 10 beat 1 (reduced
to a minor third interval), followed by M2 at bar 10 beat 2. At bar 11, Mehldau increases
temporal density for the remainder of the first chorus, starting with an ascending vertical
passage with chromatic approach notes (reminiscent of crip no. 3; see Chapter 4.6.3) and
followed by horizontal diatonic consonance. At bar 12, Mehldau plays crip no. 6 three times
during the bar, followed by crip no. 3, an ascending arpeggio utilising chromatic approach
notes at bar 13 beat 3. Crip 6 occurs twice at bar 14, and again at the beginning of bar 15
before Mehldau plays stabs at bar 15 beat 1. The final phrase of the first chorus is a statement
of the melody at bar 15 beats 3–4, and includes the temporal easing to mark the conclusion of
both the hypermeter and chorus.
148
When It Rains Transcription

From Largo, Brad Mehldau, 2002
R/D (E/V)
G #m7
H/C (M1)
B7/A
C #7/G #
#### œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ nœ Œ
& #c
G+
V/D
#### Œ B
H/C (M2)
œ ‰ . œr
Œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ. Œ Œ
H/C (M2.1)
& # J
3
H/C (M4)
G #m7 C #7/G #
H/C (M3)
B7/A
#### œ œ œ œ nœ ® œ œ ® ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ® œ œ ≈ nœ
# œ œ œœœŒ œ œ œœœŒ
3
&
3
5
H/C (M5) V/C (D)
B B7
H/D (L/T)
#### G+ œœ
H/C (M1.1)
# œ œ n œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ® œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œ œ n œœ œ œ
3 V/D
&
7 œ
E C #7
H/C (M6)
# # # # œ œ3 œ œ œ . œ œ œ3 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ ‰ Œ
H/C (M1.2)
& # œ R
9
œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œœ
R/D (T/D) H/C (M2.2)
# # # # EN œ
# Œ ® nœ #œ œ œ nœ #œ œ
V/D V/D
&
11
H/C
C/C (C)
œ œ œ œ bœ nœ bœ œ œ œ œ œ œ
C/C (C)
G7
#### nœ nœ nœ œ œ nœ œ nœ œ œ œ œ b œ œ œ
& # nœ nœ œ nœ
12
B C #7/G # G #m7
œ
# # # # œ ® œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ ‰ 3 œ œ3 œ œ ≈ ‰ œ
V/D
œ œ œ œ nœ œ #œ nœ
œ œœ
3
& # œ nœ œ
13
C/C (C)
C/C (C)
Figure 83: ‘When It Rains’ Transcription – page 1
149
WhenItRains/2
G+
R/C (T/E) + O/C (M)
#### bœ nœ nœ nœ œ œ œ
B
C/C (C)
& # nœ ®Œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó
3
15
nœ bœ œ œ nœ œ nœ œ bœ nœ #œ nœ œ nœ
H/D (C)
# # # # B7/A n œ
H/D (C)
œ
V/D (D)
& # Œ ® nœ nœ œ œ nœ ®
17
G #m7
H/C (M2.3)
# # G+ œ
H/D (P/D) + R/D (T/D)
œ œ œ œ œ œ Cœ7/Gn œ œ œ
C/C (B)
####
V/D
œ nœ #œ œ œ nœ œ œ œ œ #œ œ œ
+ O/C (M)
# œ Œ Œ
3
&
18
B7/A
V/D R/C (T/B)
V/C (D)
H/D (L/T)
# # # # ≈ œ œ Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ n œ # œ œ œ œ œ œ3 œ œ œ3 ‰ ‰ ≈ n œ n œ n œ b œ b œ
B
H/C (M1.3) H/C (M5.1)
R/C C/C (B)
& # œ
20
G #m7 C #7/G #
H/D (L/T) C/C (C)
# # # # b œ n œ n œ n œ œ œ b œ œ # œ œ n œ n œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ ® œ # œ œ3 œ œ n œ œ ®
V/C (D)
V/D H/D (L/T) H/D (C)
& # nœ œ œ
22
G+ œ œ3 œ œ œ œ B7
H/C
# n œ # œ B
## # ≈ œ œœ n œ # œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
& # œ œ œ
23
H/D (C) C/C (B) H/C (M1.4)
#### E
H/C (M7)
& # œ œ œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ ® œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ3 œ
25
# # # # C 7≈ œ œ œ n œ œ # œ œ œ œ œ n œ œ # œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ n œ
#
C/C (C) + H/D (C) + H/C (Compound Melody)
3 3 3
#
3 3
& œ œ
26
R/D (M/A)
150
WhenItRains/3
EN
œ nœ œ œ . œ nœ œ œ
V/D
œ œ œ œ
H/D (C) V/D
#### ® œ≈ œ n œœ œ ‰
#
3
&
G7 B
27
# # # # n œœ œ n œ œ n œ # œ œ Œ ‰ ® n œ œ œ n œ œ œ œ ‰ œ n œ œ œ ‰ . n œ
H/C (M8) +
V/D C/C (B) H/D (C) H/D (C)
3
& # R
28
G #m7
R/C (T/B)
C #7/G #
#### œ nœ . œ œ œ œ # œ n œ œ œ œ œ # œ3 n œ œ œ œ œ #œ
#
3 3
&
30
G+ B
# # # # n œ n œ œ œ œ3 œ œ 3 ≈‰ œ œ3 œ œ 3 œ œ œ 3 ≈ 3 œ œ® œ . ‰Œ œ œœ œœœ œ
R/C (T/B)
3 3
& # nœ œœ œœ œœ œ œ R
31
B7/A H/C (M9)

G m7 C 7/G # # #
# # # # œ œ3 œ ‰ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ3 œ ®œ œ œ œ œ œ n œ ‰ œ œ œ œ3 n œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ3 œ Œ
& #
33
G+
H/C (M3.1)
nœ œ bœ nœ œ nœ nœ œ
V/D
#### œ # œ œ œœ œ œ œ
V/C H/D (L/T) V/D
Œ n œ œ œ # œ œ ® ®
& # nœ
35
H/D (C)
R/D (T/D) C/C (C) + H/D (L/T)
R/D (M/A)
B7/A œ œ œ n œ œ œ œ n œ œ
# œ n œ
3
B
# # œœ œ œ œ œ ‰®œ œ œ≈Œ œœœ œœn œ œn œn œ
V/D V/D
& # #
5 5
œ œœ œœ ®
36
G #m7 C #7/G #
H/C (M3.2)
# n œ n œ n œ # œ œ œ # œ nœ bœ nœ nœ œ œ bœ
V/D (D)
## # bœ nœ œ nœ œ œ #œ œ nœ œ
V/D (D) H/C
& # œ nœ ≈
38
H/D (C)
151
WhenItRains/4
R/C
#### G+ nœ œ nœ nœ œ.
V/D
#œ
R/C (T/B)
œ ≈ œR ® ®œ œ
& # ‰ ‰
B7
39
#### œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
B
C/C (C) V/C (D)
& # nœ œ œ
40
œ œ œ
# # # # Eœ œ n œ œ
V/C (D)
œ œ œ3 œ œ œ œ œ
# ≈œ ®œœœœœœ ≈ œ
3 3
&
41
C #7 œ œ
# # # # ≈ œ3 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ . œ œ œ œ .
H/C
H/C (M10)
œ œ
3
& #
42
R/D (M/A) + R/D (T/D) + H/D (P/D)
œ
EN
œ b œ n œ # œ n œ n œ œ œœ n œH/D (L/T)
# # # # œ œ œœ . œ œœœ n œn œn œ œœ3 3 œ nœnœ
3 V/C 3
3
# ≈ b œœ œœ
3
& œœœn œ nœ œ
43
œ n œ œ n œ # œ œ n œ # œ œ œH/D
H/D (L/T) V/D(D)
G7 n œ # œ
œ œœ œœ œœ# œ œ
3
####
(L/T)
œn œ
œn œ
3
& # n œn œ ‰® œ
3 3
44 œ nœ H/D (C) V/D V/D
C #7/G #
R/D (E/V)
H/C (M5.2)
B
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œG #m7 œ3 n œ # œ œ3 œ œ œ 3 3 3
R/C (T/E) + R/C (T/B)
####
& # ≈ œ œ œ œœœœœœœœ œ
45
œ œ G+
œ œ œ œ œ n œ# œn œ œ . œ B 3
#
## #
C/C (B)
œ œœœ œœœ œ œ œ œ ‰ . œ œ œ œ Œ
3 3
3
& #
3
47
R/C
œœ
H/C
152
At bar 17, the beginning of chorus 2, Mehldau combines perceptual dissonance and temporal
density with vertical and horizontal dissonances and starts by spelling G major (with an A#
chromatic approach tone) over B7/A at bar 17 beat 2, which is followed by chromatic
descending passages for the remainder of the bar. A vertical consonance is played at bar 18
beat 1, followed by two vertical dissonances, a perfect fourth (F#) over C#7 at bar 18 beat 2
followed by a sharp ninth (A#) over a G+7 at bar 19 beat 1. A blues figure occurs at beat 2 of
bar 19 followed by a fragment of the melody at beat 4; this is also M2. M1 is played at bar 20
beat 1 followed by a rhythmically consonant repeated tonic note B.
A major blues figure begins the second A section of this chorus, followed by M5 at bar 21
beat 2. Mehldau employs linear tonality by way of spelling F minor over B7/A at bar 21 beat
4, then F major over G# minor at bar 22 beat 1. At bar 22 beat 2 he combines crip no. 6 with
linear tonality (G7 over G#m) followed by a consonant vertical ascending arpeggio then an
ascending chromatic passage at beat 4. At bar 23 beat 1, a brief chromatic cell prefixes
consonant material before a blues figure at beat 4 prefixes M1 for the duration of bar 24.
A seventh motif (M7) is stated at bar 25 (a melodic cell based on 7-6-5-3), the beginning of
the B section. This is followed by a complex phrase played for the remainder of the B section
comprising of: (1) metric asynchronicity lasting until the transformational beat at bar 28 beat
1, (2) crip no. 6 lasting until bar 27, (3) horizontal dissonance by way of extended chromatic
use, and (4) horizontal consonance by way of compound melody lasting until bar 27 beat 3.
Vertical dissonances can be found at bar 27 beats 2 and 4. At bar 28 Mehldau combines a
rhythmic consonance (transformational beat) with a vertically dissonant dyad followed by a
blues figure.
The final A section of chorus 2 is built around an eighth motif (M8), formed by the notes F
F# F C# B; this melodically based motif is played three times before being developed to fit
diatonically over G+ harmony at bar 31. A tonic based transformational beat is played at bar
32 beat 4 with repetition of B natural.
At bar 33, a third chorus of Mehldau’s solo begins with a ninth motif (M9) based on a 1-3-4-
5 pattern lasting for one bar, followed by M3 at bar 34. Mehldau increases temporal density
at bar 35, beginning a phrase with a perfect fourth and descending chromatically to a vertical
consonance, before playing a phrase anticipating B major at bar 36. During bars 37–38
Mehldau employs rhythmic dissonance by way of metric asynchronicity over a phrase that
begins with M3, followed by crip no. 6 played twice between bar 37 beat 3 and bar 38 beat 1.
153
The crip uses linear tonality spelling notes from the key of C major, spelling C and G+7 (also
a vertical dissonance) respectively, and proceeds horizontal consonance, then vertical
dissonance, and finally extended chromatic use at bar 38 beats 3–4. At bar 39 temporal
dissonance is eased, and a transformational beat is stated at beat 2, followed by crip no. 4
played three times diatonically through beats 1–3 of bar 40, which is followed by a diagonal
consonant.
At bar 41, Mehldau plays a vertical then horizontal consonance to mark the beginning of the
B section, followed by a tenth motif (M10), a repeated 5-note cell derived from an upper
mordent (bar 42 beat 3–bar 43 beat 1). At bar 43 beat 2 Mehldau employs heavy use of
metric asynchronicity, perceptual dissonance, and temporal density using linear tonality and a
vertical dissonance. This is a musical climax. After a chromatic passage at bar 44 beat 2,
Mehldau anticipates B major harmony (combined with vertical dissonances) easing temporal
density and establishing rhythmical consonance via a slightly anticipated transformational
beat at bar 45 beat 1. The solo concludes with the use of consonant material, combining
rhythmical, perceptual and horizontal consonance with largely diatonic sonorities.
5.9.2. Conclusions
The most striking feature of the solo in ‘When It Rains’ is Mehldau’s extensive use of both
motif and crip. Examples of motif can be found at bars 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 19, 20, 21, 25,
30, 33, 34, 42 and 46; these motifs usually consist of short cells, 2–7 notes in length, often
repeated, sometimes developed. In terms of melodic groupings the motifs can be described
numerically (in order) as: 1-1-5, 1-3-2-1, 1-2-2-1-2, 5-5-5-7-6-4-1, 3-4-5-6-5, 9-9-9-1-7-5, 3-
5-7-6-5-3, 6-7-6-4-3, 1-3-4-5, and 6-7-6-5-9. These motifs clearly demonstrate Mehldau’s use
of cell-based improvisation described in detail by jazz educators such as Bergonzi (1994).
Examples of Mehldau’s crips can be found at bars 11, 12, 13, 15, 22, and bar 40; often these
crips are largely diatonic but occasionally Mehldau combines organic consonance with
horizontal dissonance by way of linear tonality (e.g. bar 22). Mehldau uses space to help
create salience in the succeeding line (e.g. bar 39) and uses repetition to saturate the listener,
creating expectation of change (e.g. bars 42–43). Contrastive valence is clearly audible at
bars 43–44, where Mehldau employs metric asynchronicity, temporal density, perceptual
dissonance, vertical dissonance and linear tonality at the same time for climactic effect.
154
5.10. ‘Ode’
‘Ode’ is the title track of originals album Ode (2012) and is a composition that emerges from
a syncopated 1-bar cell which is transposed and developed over several key centres using (1)
functional harmonic devices such as conventional II–V–I cadences (via tonicisation and full
resolution), and (2) pivot chords (in particular second inversion chords) that create a sense of
harmonic destabilisation, allowing the harmonic progression to abruptly change direction.
‘Ode’ is built around a 62-bar form; notably the head changes are (1) altered during the first
32 bars, and (2) extended by two bars during the solo section, creating a 64-bar strophe for
solos. The form is AB, where the A section comprises two repeated 16-bar hypermetric
sections, and the B section is 32 bars long.
5.10.1. Observations
Mehldau begins the piano solo in ‘Ode’ (see Figures 87–92) with the combination of two
devices: (1) a simple anapaestic motif (M1) as a pickup to bar 1, repeated again as a pickup to
bar 3, and (2) use of perceptual dissonance by way of a counter-melody voiced at the top of a
quaver-based left-hand comping pattern from bar 1 to bar 31. The particular comping pattern
is a continuation of the comping style heard during the head, and is culturally dissonant from
normative comping practices by way of its pulse-like repetitive nature and also by its
occasional use of simple triadic voicings. The counter-melody created by the upper part of
the voicings heard from bar 1 to bar 31 is a diatonically horizontal line utilising (1) chord
tones (including guide tones and non-guide tones) and (2) extensions. The gradual shift from
a repetitive quaver pulse to normative rhythmical practices occurs seamlessly during this
entire section, creating a thematic link between the head and solo sections. In contrast to the
melody played in the left hand, Mehldau’s right hand establishes four motifs (including the
motif already described) during the first 16 bars. The second motif (M2) is a held note played
on a downbeat prefixed by a semiquaver (bar 6 beat 4–bar 8 beat 1 and bar 8 beat 1–bar 8
beat 3). The third motif (M3) (e.g. bar 8 beat 4–bar 9 beat 1) is a C# (third of the chord
Amaj7) occurring on a downbeat prefixed by a semiquaver turn starting on the fifth (5-4-3-4).
The fourth motif (M4) is a rhythmical cell based on quavers with a syncopated semiquaver
suffix (e.g. bar 10 beat 3–bar 11 beat 1).
155
Ode Transcription
From Ode, Brad Mehldau Trio, 2012
H/C (M1) H/C (M1.1)
E7
###
c œ œ Bm7
w ˙ .. œ
& œœ ˙ œœ
? ### c ‰ ‰ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ ‰ œœœ œœœ ‰ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ ‰ ‰ œœœ
C/D
J J J J J
H/C (M2) Dmaj7
H/D (P/D)
### Amaj7 w
H/C (M1.2)
& ∑ Ó .. œ œ ˙ .. ≈ œR
? # # # ‰œœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœœ œœœœ ‰ œœœ ‰ œœœ ‰ œœœœ œœœœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ
4
‰ œœ œœœ
œ
J J J
H/C (Call) + H/C (M3)
# # # œ . œ ˙ œ œ œ œ A/E
H/C (Response) B7
H/C (M2.1)
& œ Œ Œ œ ∑ ‰ j‰ j
œ
Œ ‰ j‰ jŒ
œ ˙ œ. œ œœ ˙˙
? # # # Œ . œœœ ‰œœœ ... œœœ œœœ œœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœ
8
œ ˙. œ# œ
J ‰J
Dm7
H/C (M4)
# # # Œ .. œ œ œ œ œ w œœ≈œœ b œœœœ Amaj7

H/C (M4.1) H/C (M4.2)
œ ≈œ œ
H/C (M4.3)
& R œ œn œ œœœœœ œ
‰ ..
? # # # w ˙˙ .. œ œ ˙
‰n œœJ ‰œœJ ˙˙ ˙˙˙ ...... n œœœ ‰˙˙˙ ......
12
### Bm7
C/C (Crip)
∑ ∑ œœ .œ œœ≈
H/D (L/T)
& œ
nœ bœ œ #œ œ œ œ
? # # # ‰ œœœ ‰ œœ ‰ œœ Œ œœœ ‰ œœœ ...
‰ œœœ ‰
œœœ
16
Ó ..
V/C (D)
œ œ
C/C
J J J J J J
Figure 87: ‘Ode’ – Transcription – page 1
156
Ode/2
E7 Amaj7
###
H/C (M3.1)
& œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
Œ Ó ∑
œ œ œ œ
# œ .
.
? ## Ó œ ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰ J œ œ J œ œ œœœ ‰ œœœ
œ œ œ œ
19
œ . œ œ œ œ œ œ
V/D
‰
3 3
J J J J
# Dmaj7
## Ó
H/C (M4.4) H/D (C) H/C
& b œ bœ nœ œ nœ œ nœ œ bœ
n œ œ œ œ nœ bœ nœ #œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ ˙˙˙ ...
22
# œ œ
? ## ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ œ œ Œ
H/D (L/T) H/D (C)
J J J J
A/E H/D (L/T)
### n œ œ œ #œ œ œ
R/D (T/D)
œ b œ n œ
C/C (C)
& œ œ œ œ œ œ n œ bœ œ n œ b œ #œ œ
œ œ œ
œ œ œ œœ
? # # # ˙˙˙ ˙˙˙ www
24
### œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ B7
œ . œ œ œ #œ œ œ œ œ ∑
R/C (T/E)
& œœ œ œ
œ
? # # # www ˙˙H/C
.
Œ # ˙ ..
œ œ ˙
‰ œœJ ‰ # œœ ˙˙
26
J
Amaj7
### Dm7
œ n œ n œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ #œ œ œ nœ œ
H/D (L/T) H/C
Œ nœbœbœ
H/D (C)
& ∑ œ œœ
3
œ
# œ œ n œœ œ œ n œœ .
.
? # # ‰ œ ‰ n œ œ œ œ ‰n œœ .. ˙˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ..
29
‰ ˙ ..
V/C (D)
J J
F m7 #
### ‰ n œ # œ n œ œ œ œ . ≈ œ œ ‰ œj
& œ œ œ
3
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ R
Ó ‰ œ Œ
? ### œ
32
∑ Œ ˙. J
C/C (B)
O/C (M)
157
Ode/3
A !m7(! 5) D !7
### œ ‰ Œ Œ ‰ j œ œœœ œ œœ ˙
H/C (M5) + H/C (Call)
& J J
œ ˙ ..
œ œ ˙˙˙
? # # # ‰ œœ œ œ œœ ‰ œJ Œ ‰ œœJ ‰ œœJ Œ œœœ n œ œ
34 H/C (Response)
‰ n
J
# # # Fmaj7 F nœ nœ Dm7
œ œ œ Œ nœ œ œ œ nœ œ œ œ nœ œ
H/C (M5.1)
& ∑ œ œ
œ
? # # # n œ œ œ œ n œœ ‰ n œœœ ... Œ n œœ œœœ ... H/C (M5.2) œ.
‰ n œœ ..
37
œ
‰ J ‰ Ó
# # # n œ œ œ n œ ‰ n œœ œ b œ œ3œ Cmaj7 ‰ œj n œ . œ ˙
C/C (B)
œ nœ œ œ œ œ
3 3 H/C
& œ nœ nœ nœ
? # # # Œ ‰ ‰ nb œœ Ó n œœ n œ
œ œ
œ ..
40
.
H/D
Ó ‰ JŒ Œ n œ ‰ œ.
3
J J
C/G B !maj9
###
& œœœ Ó ∑ ∑ ∑
. ‰ j‰ j
43
n œ œ 3 œ
O/C (M)
œ œ . œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œ œ . b œœ
C/C (C)
# n œ œ œ .
? # # Œ . œ ‰ œ . wœ œ œ œ ‰ n œ ‰ œ ‰ œ . ‰ œ n œ Œ œ
J J J J
Bm7 E7 F #m7
# # # Œ‰ œœœœ œ Œ Œ ‰ œ œœœœ œ Œ ‰ œœŒŒ‰œœ
H/C (M6) O/C (M)
& œ œ œ
œœœœ œ J œœ
w ˙ . œ œ . j j œ . Ó ˙˙
47
#
? # # Œ ˙˙ .. œ œ .
Œ . œJ ‰ œ . Œ . œ œ œ . œ . ˙
H/C (M6.1)
œ ˙
H/C
! ! ‰ J Œ
(
A m7 5 ) !7alt
œ œ D
### œ œ nœ
Œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ nœ œ #œ œ nœ œ œ nœ nœ œ œ œ œ
H/C (M6.2)
&
.
? # # # ‰ œ ‰ œœJ ‰ œœ .
51
Ó
H/D (C)
n˙
J
158
Ode/4
Fmaj7
### nœ Œ Œ ‰ ‰. r
& œ œ nœ nœ œ œ
nœ œ œœ œ œ œœ nœ
œ œ nœ œ
53
? ### Œ n œ n œ
H/C V/C (D)
n˙ ‰ œœ œ nœ Ó
V/C (D) H/C
### Dm7
œ œ œ œ bœ nœ nœ nœ œ #œ nœ #œ nœ #œ
& Œ nœ œ
55 œ nœ œ œ œ œ H/C (M7.1)
V/C (D)
? ### Ó ≈ n œJ . œ
H/D (L/T)
w
H/C (M7)
E !maj7/B ! E !maj7
### œ œ . bœ nœ œ œ œ
V/C (D)
& nœ ≈ œ Ó. nœ nœ nœ
nœ bœ œ bœ nœ ‰ n b œœ ..
57
? ### b˙ . ≈ b˙ . n œ .
D !maj7
R/D (M/S)
# # # C œn œ œ œ Cm7 (Aeolian)
H/C
Œ Ó Ó
H/C (M8)
& n œ œ n œ œn œ œ œ œ œ n œ b œ nœ œ
bœ nœ nœ
n œ œ
Œ ‰bn œœJ ‰ œœJ Œ nbb œœœ ‰‰ œœœ ˙˙˙
59
? ### nw
J J
Dm7( ! 5) H/C (M8.1) Amaj7 H/C (M8.2)
#
## ≈ j nœ œ ≈ bœ . œ œ œ ≈
œ œœ œ œœ œœ œ Œ œœœœœ œœ
R/C (T/B )
& nœ . œ œ œ J
nb ˙˙˙ . .
? ### Ó ‰ œœœ .. Œ ˙˙˙ ..
62
Ó
E7
# # # Bm7Œ œ ‰œ ‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ œJ Œ œ œ
H/C (M4.5)
& œ œœ œ œœ œ
œ œ œ œœœ
œœ ‰ ‰ œœœ Ó œœœ ‰ œœœ Ó ..
65
? ### ‰ J J
J J J
159
H/D (L/T) Ode/5
### b œ Amaj7
V/C (D)
œ œ b œ œ n œ œ œ3 œ 3
3
œœ œ n œ# œ
H/C (M4.6)
œœ ≈ œ œ nœ œ œ J ‰ ≈ ≈ œ œ œœ Œ œœœ
3
&
œ œ
ww œœœ œ .
œœ ..
? ### w œ.
‰ œœ ..
68
‰J Œ ‰ Ó
Dmaj7
### r A/E
H/C (M2.2) H/D
& œ. ≈œ ˙ Œ Œ Œ ≈ j. œ ‰ œ ‰ œ œ.œœ.œŒ ‰œœ

œ œœœ J
? # # # Œ ˙˙˙ œœ Ó œœ ..
‰ œœœJ Œ œœœ ‰ œJ œœœJ ‰ Ó .
71
œ ‰ œ.
B7 Dm7 œ nœ œ
H/C
### œ
R/D (T/D)
& Œ Œ ‰ œœ œœœŒ Ó Œ Œ Œ≈
Œ . œœj ‰ œœ . œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙
. Œ ‰ # œœ ‰ œœ ‰ œœ n œ œ œ œ œ ˙
75
? ###
H/D (C)
‰ œJ ˙ .
3 3
J J J J
### b œ b œ n œ œ n œ # œ n œV/C (D) œ H/D (L/T)Amaj7
œ#œ œ œ œ bœ œ bœ œnœ .
& nœ œ œn œ œœ œ œœ œ . œ œ
78 œ œ
? ### ∑ ∑
H/D (L/T) H/D (C)
V/C (D) + C/C
### œ œ œ œ
Bm7
œ œ œœœ œ œ œœœœœ
& œ œœ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ
j œ œ œ . œ. œ
80
? ### Œ ‰ ≈ œr ‰ œ ≈ œ ‰ œ . ‰ J ≈ J
R
# E7
## r œ nœ
‰ . œ œ nœ bœ ˙ ‰ . n œr b œ b œ œ
H/D (P/D) + O/D (Hy/D)
& Œ Œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ .
82 H/C (M8.3)
? ### œ Œ H/D (L/T) n œ n œ œ œ œ ‰ b œj Œ

H/C (M8.4)
160
Ode/6
Amaj7 œ œœ œ
### Œ Ó ≈œœ œ œœ œœœ
& nœ
n œ œ # œ bœ nœ bœ œ œ nœ œ œ
b œ
84 H/D (L/T)
#
? # # ≈n œb œ œ œ n œ œ w
H/D (C) V/C (D) + C/C
### Œ ‰. r œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œœœ
Dmaj7
& œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œœ
œ œ œ œœ
86
#
? ## œ œ œ œ Ó œ œ œ Ó
œ
œ œ œ3 œ œ
R/C (T/E)
A/E
### œœœ œ œœ ˙ ..
H/C (M7.2)
œ œœœœ
H/C
œœœ ‰
3
& ˙
? # # # www ˙. .
Œ ˙˙˙ ... ‰ œœœJ ˙˙˙ ..
88
B7
˙˙ Dm7
### ˙ œ
≈ œœ œœ œœœ œ œ œ n œ œ n œœ œ # œ
3
Ó Œ ‰ nœ
3
&
3
? # # # ˙˙˙ œœ œœ
# ˙˙ n wwww
91
H/D (C)
‰# œ œ Ó
J
# # # œ œ3 ‰ œ3 œ
H/C
Amaj7
& ‰ œ œœ. œ œ. j ‰ j‰
œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ
? # # # Œ n ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙ ‰ œœœ ‰ œœœ œœ œœ œœ ‰ œj
94
Œ ˙ œ œ œ
J J
The second hypermeter begins at bar 17 with horizontal dissonance via linear tonality
(sidestep of Bm to Cm) that also functions as a culturally consonant enclosure of d, the third
161
of Bm7. Mehldau plays an ascending horizontal consonance followed by a crip (derived from
crip no. 6; see Chapter 4.6.3) lasting from bar 18 beat 4 to bar 19 beat 2, before a reiteration
of M3 at bar 19 beat 4–bar 20 beat 1. Mehldau uses space from bar 20 to bar 22 beat 2,
creating salience to the succeeding line that utilises contrastive valence with a horizontal
consonance (M4) combined with horizontal dissonance (linear tonality of Ab over A). At bar
23 Mehldau employs chromaticism via a descending line (bar 23 beats 1–2) and alternating
descending minor thirds (bar 23 beat 3), before this dissonance is resolved with the use of a
mainly horizontally consonant ascending passage from bar 23 beat 4 to bar 24 beat 4. At bar
25 Mehldau employs linear tonality via tritone substitution (Eb over A) followed by a crip
(derived from crip no. 4; see Chapter 4.6.3) at bar 25 beat 3 to bar 26 beat 2. A horizontal
consonance ends a period of temporal density that lasts from bar 23 to bar 27. Two bars of
rest occur from at bars 28–29, followed by linear tonality (Db arpeggio over Dm7) then a
horizontal consonance, a chromatic dissonance, a vertical consonance, and finally a blues lick
at bar 32 beat 4, ending the 16-bar hypermeter.
A reference to the melody begins the next 16-bar section at bar 33, followed by a fifth motif
(M5), a syncopated 5-note, 2-beat cell occurring at bar 36 beats 1–2, bar 38 beats 1–2, and
bar 39 beats 1–2. A horizontally dissonant disjunct melodic phrase occurs at bar 40, which is
resolved using a consonant blues motif, a bar of horizontal consonance, and crip no. 1 (stabs;
see Chapter 4.3.6) at bar 43. References to the melody occur at bars 44 and 46–47, followed
by horizontal consonance from bars 47–49. At bar 50 a sixth motif (M6) occurs, essentially
similar to M1, an anapaestic downbeat targeted phrase but with a paired semiquaver suffix
during the second half of beat 1 (bar 49 beat 4–bar 50 beat 1). At bar 51 beat 4 M6 is
developed into a longer phrase containing largely diatonic material that lasts until the end of
bar 54. At bar 55 beats 1–2 a seventh motif (M7) is stated, followed by a vertical consonance,
then horizontal dissonance by way of linear tonality (Cm over Dm7), and another instance of
M7 during the second half of bar 56. Mainly horizontal consonance ensues from bar 57 to bar
60, after which an eighth motif (M8) is played, a rhythmic 4-note quaver-based motif with a
2-note syncopated suffix (e.g. bar 61 beat 3–bar 62 beat 1). M8 is repeated at bar 62 beats 3–
4 and bar 63 beats 1–2; dissonance via syncopation is resolved via a transformational beat at
bar 64, concluding the first chorus of Mehldau’s solo.
The next chorus begins at bar 65 with a repeated E note, played on and off the beat for two
bars. During bars 67–68, Mehldau plays the sixth and seventh instances of M4 before linear
tonality is heard at bar 69 beat 2 (Ab over A), followed by vertical consonance and a
162
reiteration of M2 during the second half of bar 71. Horizontal consonance occurs from bars
72–76, after which temporal density is employed in a long climactic phrase that creates
hypermetric dissonance as it continues to bar 88, seven bars after the hypermetric break at bar
81. During this climactic phrase, Mehldau uses: (1) chromaticism (bars 77 and 84), (2) linear
tonality (bars 78–79 and 82–84 – Bb7 over A, and Eb over E7 respectively), (3) perceptual
dissonance via a counter-melody at bars 80–81, (4) repetitions of M8 at bars 82–83, and (5)
formulaic improvisation (cultural consonance) from bar 85 to 88. Temporal easing is heard at
bar 88 with the use of a diatonic triplet figure, followed by M7 at bar 89 beat 3; a brief
chromatic dissonance is played at bar 93 before the solo concludes with horizontal
consonance to bar 96.
5.10.2. Conclusions
Devices used by Mehldau in this solo are: (1) perceptual dissonance via contrapuntal lines
heard during the first 31 bars and from bars 80–81, (2) extensive motivic use mainly based on
2-beat cells consisting of various rhythmical groupings, (3) use of space designed to increase
the salience of the subsequent line which often begins with sidestep-based linear tonality
followed by either consonance (which resolves dissonance) or chromaticism (which extends
dissonance), (4) hypermetric dissonance during an extended climatic phrase from bar 77 to
bar 88, and (5) call and response figures (e.g. bars 8–10) and antiphony between hands during
the latter part of the solo (e.g. bars 82–87). In terms of linear tonality, an example of Mehldau
not simply employing sidestep or tritone superimpositions can be found at bar 84, where he
implies Ab major over E7; this is an interesting choice as it combines elements of E super
Locrian mode (i.e. #5#9 – normative jazz practice) with the addition of the natural sixth (C#)
and major seventh (Eb), a cultural and vertical dissonance in its own right.
5.11. ‘River Man’
‘River Man’ (AOT5, 2001) was recorded live at the Village Vanguard New York.
Singer/songwriter Nick Drake composed ‘River Man’ for his first album entitled Five Leaves
Left (Island Records, 1969). The body of the composition is in 5/4 and consists of an 8-bar
harmonically symmetrical vamp in C major (Cm7–Eb7–Ab major 7–C major). Mehldau solos
over this 8-bar vamp for 20 choruses. As the longest live solo of the case studies (‘Secret
Beach’ is also live), the analysis of ‘River Man’ here is extensive (see Figures 93–105).
163
River Man Transcription

Cm7
From AOT5, Brad Mehldau Trio, 2001
Cmaj7
1
& 45
3
‰ Œ œœŒœœœŒ œ ŒÓ Œ ∑
3 3
3
w œœ œ œ œ
˙˙ ˙˙ œœ Œ . b œœœ Œ ˙˙ b œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ
1
? 45 œœœ ... œœœ œœœ œ œ

J J J J
E !7
H/C (M1) H/C (M1.1) H/C (M1.2) H/C (M1.3)
A !maj7
H/C (M1.4) H/C (M1.5)
b3œ ‰ ‰ œ
J bb œœ Ó ∑ ‰ œw
V/D H/D (C) V/D
& œ
3
œ
b œ œ œ œ
b œ n œ b œ œ œJ œ œ œ bbb œœœ ... œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ
? Ó.
5
J
J œ œ
H/C (M1.6) H/C Cm7 C/C (B)
Cmaj7
Ó ≈ œJ . ˙ w Œ œ b œœ ‰ n œ Ó Œ
2 3
& œ œ œ ˙.
3
˙ . œœ .. œœ
b b œœ œœ œœ œœ œœœ œœœ ˙˙ b œœœ œ œœ
8
? Œ. b œ œ œ œ ˙. œ. œ Œ ˙ Œ . b
J J JŒ
E !7
j
œ œ b œj ˙ .
C/C (B)
& ∑ #œ
r ∑
b œ œ œ b œ œ œ œ œ œœ œœ b œœœ
? bb œœœ œœœœ œ œ œœœ œ œ œœ ˙ œ b œ n œ b œ œ œ œ
12 V/D V/D
b œ# œJ ‰
V/D
b˙
J J
H/D (C)
A !maj7
C/C (B)
Cmaj7
V/D
≈ œj . œ # œ œ n ˙ .
V/D
∑
œœ˙œ œ ˙ œœ˙œ Œ
3 3
& œ
. b œœœ œœœœ bb œœœœ ....œœœœ œœœœ .... œœœœ
? ˙˙˙ .. œœ ‰ œœœn œœœœ
œ
œ # œ œœœœ œœœ ˙˙˙
15
V/D
J J J
H/C (M2) H/C (M2.1)
Figure 93: ‘River Man’ – Transcription – page 1
164
RiverMan/2 C/C (C)

3 Cm7
H/C (M2.3)
V/D
& ‰ œœœœ. ˙. ≈ b œœ n œ b œ œ . œ œ˙ ∑
œ
. . œœ œœ œœ .. b ˙˙ œœ œœ œœ ..
? ˙˙˙ .. œœœ œœœ œœœ .. b
b œœ œœ ‰ œœ .. b ˙˙ œœ œœ œœ .. b œœ
18
J J
A !maj7
H/C (M2.2) H/C (M2.5)
E !7
C/C (B)
& #œ œ bœ œ œ ‰ œ .
C/C (C) V/D
∑ #œ œ bœ ˙
3 3
œœ œœ œ
b œœœ œœœ
œœ .. b œœœ
? œœ .. b œœœœ Ó œœœœ œ. œ . b
21
b œ .. œ Œ ‰ œœœ ...
œ œ .
œœ .. œŒ
H/C (M2.4)
J Œ
J J
H/C (M2.7)
Cmaj7
H/C (M2.6)
& # œœ b œ w #œ œ œ w ∑
3
b b œœœœ b œœœ ... nn œœœ œœœœ .... œœœœ œœœœ œœœ œœœ œ œ œœ œœJ œœ œ œœ b œ
œ
24
? Œ. J Œ
J J J‰ J
Cm7 E !7
H/C (M2.8)
# œœ b œ œ œ œ ˙˙
C/C (C) H/D (C) V/D
& ‰ b œJ œ œ ‰ œJ ‰ œJ Œ bœ œ Ó Œ
4 3
œ . b œœœ œœœ œœœœ œœœœ b œœœ b œœ nb œœœ b œœœ ... b œœ ˙˙ ..

‰ J‰ J Ó œ
27
? J J
C/C (B)
A !maj7
H/C (M3) + R/D (M/A)
& ∑ ‰b œj œj œ œj œ b œ œ œ œ œj œ . œ œ œ œ
3 C/C
œ b œ œ œ œ. #œ
bœ œ œ œ œ ˙˙
? ‰b œœJ ‰ œœJ ‰b œœJ œœ œœ b ˙ ˙
30
∑ Ó.
Cmaj7 5 Cm7
R/D (E/V)
O/D (Ha/D)
Œ œ nœ œ œ Œ Ó Œ
V/D V/D C/C (B)
& œ œ# œ œ œ œ œ . œ œ bœ œ #œ œ bœ
j
œ
bœ
œœ œœ œœœ .. b œœœ ˙˙
? œœœ b œœœ n œœœ œœ œœœ œœœ œœœ ‰ œœœ ‰ b
Œ. J Œ ˙
33
œ œ œ ‰ .
J J
H/C (M4)
165
RiverMan/3
E !7
H/D (C)
# œœ n œ b œ
C/C (C)
Ó œ bœ nœ Œ b œ
H/C (M4.1) V/D
# œœ b œ n œ œ
3
& œ bœ œ œ bœ w
j
b b ˙˙˙ œœœ œœœ ... bbb œœœœœ ˙˙˙˙˙ bbb œœœœœ œœœœœ œœœœœ V/D
36
? ‰ J‰ Œ. J Œ ‰ J‰ J‰ J Ó
A !maj7 V/D Cmaj7
H/C (Call)
œ ≈ œj . ‰ j
H/C (Response)
œ œ œñœ œ
V/D R/D (D/D)
& # œœ nœ bœ ˙ ˙. ˙ œ
r
b œœœ ˙ œœ œ b œ n œœœœ ˙˙˙˙ œœœ ˙˙˙˙

˙˙˙
>
b
? Œ ‰ œJ œ œ œ
39
‰J Œ. J
3
H/C (M5) + C/C (B)

Cm7
H/C (M5.1) H/C (M5.2)
& œœœ ‰
j Œ Œ b œœœ n œ
# bw ‰ # œ n œ b œ œ œŒ Ó ‰ nœ
# œ
3 3 3
6 3
. œœ œœœ .. V/D b œœœ ˙˙˙ ... b ˙˙˙ œœœ œœœ œœœ

? œœœ .. œœœ ˙. ˙ b
42
œ . bœ Ó ‰ b œJ œ œ
J J
E !7
C/C (B) + C/C + H/D (P/D)
b œœ œœ œœb# œœœ ‰ œœb œ b ˙ . ‰ b# œœœ œ b œœœ œ A !maj7

R/D (M/A) R/C
V/D
Œ
5
& bœ œbœ œ œn˙

3
b b œœœ œ3 b ˙ . b œ œœ 5 # œ R/D (E/V)

œœ œœœ œœœœ œœœœ .... ‰
45
œ œ œ ˙
? b œ œb œœ œœœ œœœ ‰œœ ‰ b ˙˙ ... b œ œ
‰ ‰ ‰ œ‰œ
œ b b œ
J J J
Cmaj7
& œ œ b˙ Œ ‰ j œ #œ œ œ nœ #œ œ œ nœ #œ œ œ nœ #œ œ
nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ
? Œ . bb œœœœ ‰ b œœœœ œœœ œœ H/D (C) + V/C + C/C œœ œœœ œœœ
48
œ œ Œ Œ œ
J J
7 Cm7
& ≈ œ œ œ œj ‰ œ œ # œ œ œ n œ # œ œ œ œ # œ œ œ n œ Ó Œ
œœœ œœœ œœœœ œœœœ œ œœœ œœœ œœœ œ
bb œœœ œ œ œ œœ
50
? Œ. œ œ ‰ œ
J J
166
RiverMan/4
E !7
O/D (Hy/D)
& Ó œ # œ œ œ n œ # œ œ œ n œ # œ œ œ œ # œ œ œ b ww
œ œ œ œ
œœ œœ œœœœ ... œœ .. b œœœ œœœœ b œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ
? b œ b œœ œœ
52
. œœ .. Œ. œ
J J J
V/D C/C (B) H/D (P/D)
b œ œn œb œ b œ A !maj7
C/C (B) V/D
b œ œ b œ nœ
& bb œœn œœ œ œ œ œ# œ œœ œ b œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ b œ b ˙ . n œœ b œ n œ œ
3 3 H/D (C) 3 3 3
# œ b b œ
œ n œ ˙ .
.
54
bœ b œ œ ˙. bb œœœ bb www
? Œ ‰ œœJ Œ ‰ b œœJ ˙˙ .
H/D (C)
Œ Œ
Cmaj7
j 3
C/C (B) V/D C/C (B)
# œ œ œ n œ3 # œœ œ Cm7
œ . œœ œ œ œ œ Ó Œ
V/D 8
œ bœ œ œ œ œ œÓ
r 3
&
œ 3
œ.
œ #œ
œ œ œœœ œ . œœ œ ˙˙˙ ...
bb œœœ
57
? J œ
‰œ . Ó. ‰ œ œœ ‰ Œ ‰ J
E !7 j
O/C (M) + R/D (M/A)
& Ó ‰ b œ œ Œ œJ ‰ œ ‰ ‰ . b œR Œ œ œ œ
3
b b œœœ œœœ ˙˙˙ b œœœ ˙˙˙ ... b œœœœ

60
? J ‰ ‰ J Œ ‰ J J ‰
A !maj7
H/D (C) + R/D (M/A)
≈ œ bœ œ #œ nœ œ .
R/C (T/B)
& Ó # œ n œ . # œ n œ œ b œ œ œ œ .. Œ Ó Œ
? bb ˙˙˙˙ .... b œœœœ ........ œ bb œœ .. œ œ œ

J œ œ œœ œœ
62
≈ J ‰
#œ œ . nœ
V/C (D)
Cmaj7
œ œ b œ n œ bœ œ œ œ nœ œ bœ œ œ œ œ œ œ
V/C (D) H/D (C)
& Ó ≈ œ œ bœ bœ nœ œ
r
œ œœœ
3
? b œ bb www œœ .. œœ .. œœœ œœœ

64
œ. œ.
167
H/D (C) RiverMan/5

9 Cm73
œ œ œ œ bœ œ bœ œ ˙ . œ œœ œ œœ
H/D (L/T) H/C (P/E) + R/C
& œœœœ b œ n œ ‰ J J‰‰ J

. œœ ..
? Œ . œœœ .. ‰ . & Œ ‰ bb œœœ Œ ˙˙˙ bb œœœ ... b œj œœœœ ‰ œœœœ ‰ ?
66
œ
J œœ
E !7 œ C/C (C) b œ b œœœ
bœ œ Ó b œ œ
H/D (P/D) + V/D
& Œ b œœ b œœ n œœ # œ œ œœ b œ
bœ
? b ˙˙˙˙ œœ b œœœ œœ bbb œœœ n œœ œœ b œœ œœ œ
69
œ
‰ œ Œ œ bœ œ b œ œ œ n œ
œ ‰ ‰
J
A !maj7 V/D Cmaj7œ œ œ œ
b œb œ œœ
O/C (Ha/D) (A7+) (Dm) (Em)
3 œ
R/D (T/D)
& ‰ J b œ œ ‰
œ œœ œœb œ b œœ œ œœ Ó b œ n œ œ œ œ# œ œ n œ œ œ
œ
œœ
3
b b œœœ œœœ œœœ b b œœœ ˙˙˙ n œ H/D (C) œœœœ ˙˙˙˙ ....
71
? Œ œ œ œ
‰ J‰ JŒ Œ J . œ ˙ œ œ Œ .
J
Cm7
œœ œ# œ œ . œ œ 3 œœb œœœœœ œ œœœŒ
H/C (M6) H/C (M6.1)
‰œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
b
(E) (A7) 10
& œ œ# œ œn œ b œn œ
3 3 3 3
3
b œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœ .. œœ œœ œœ .. œœ œœ

74
? ∑ Ó ‰ J bœ . œ œ œ . œœ
H/D (C)
J J
E !7
œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œJ ‰ b œ œ
H/C (M6.2) H/C (M6.3)
‰ œ œ œ œ œJ ‰ œ Œ
C/C (C) H/D (C)
&
3 3
J
.
? b œœœ .. œœœ œœœ œœœ œœ #3œœ œœœ #b œœœ n œœœ œœœ b œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ n œ œœ # œœœ
œ
77 3
œn œ
3
J ‰ ‰‰ J
A !maj7 œ3 n œ b œ œ b œ œ# œ b œ œ# œ n œ œ
H/D (C) + R/D (M/A) + H/D (P/D) - H/C (P/E)
b œ œ œ œ œ œœ ˙
H/C (M6.4)
& ‰ œ œ œ ‰
3 3 3
b œ
œ ... œœ œœ œ œ œœ œœ b b œœœ ...œœœ œœœœ œœœœ ....
b œ œ œ œ œ œ
79
? œ . œ œ ‰œ œ œ ‰ œ. œ
3
J J J ‰
168
RiverMan/6 H/D (L/T)

Cmaj7
bœ œ . œ nœ
V/C (D)
5 H/C (M7)
& œ b œ œ b œ b œb œ œ# œ n œ r̊ œ
œ œ b œ œ
3 3
œ bœ œ bœ œ #œ . œ . œ œ œ œ œ
. œœ ..
? œœœ ..
œœ œœœ ˙˙
81
œ. œ Ó Œ ˙
˙ œ . bœ nœ œ . bœ œ œ œ . nœ œ . ˙ bœ ‰ œ bœ œ œ
11
Cm7
H/C (M7.1) H/C (M7.2) V/D V/D C/C (C)
& œ œ œ
J
? bb œœœ ... œœœ œœœ n œœœ ... bœ .
83
‰ b œœ .. Ó
J Œ
Œ
J
R/D (M/A) + H/D (P/D) + H/D + R/D (T/D) V/D V/D V/D
E !7
œ ˙ # œœ b œœnb œœ n œ # œœ b œœ# œœ n œœ œœœ 3b œœ
bœ
3
# œœ # œœ œ b œœ n œ b œœœ
3 3 3
‰
& œ ˙ b œ œœœ ## œœ # œ
J œ œ
b œ nœ œ
bœ œ
? Œ . œœ
œœ
85
V/D
JÓ ∑
H/D (C)
A !maj7
œœ
R/D (T/D)
‰ Œ Ó œ œ œ œ
œ
3
& œ # œœ œ b œœ œ œœ œœ œœ b œ œ œ
œ œ bœ œ œ œ
b œœœœ œœœœ b œ œ b œœ b œœ
87
? ∑
R/D (E/V)
Ó Œ
V/D
Cmaj7
b œn œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ# œ œ3 ‰ œb œ# œ œœœn œœœ œn œ b œn œœœb œœœœœœœœ
H/D (C) H/D (C) H/D (L/T)
O/D (Ha/D)
3 3 7 5
& #œ œ œ
˙ œœ # œœœ # œœ œ œ
#
œœ œœ œœœ ... œœœ ...
89
? ˙ ˙ #œ œ ‰ #œ œ
3 E7 !
œ‰œ œœœœœ
12
œ œ œ œ
H/D (C) R/D (M/A)
Cm7
H/D (C)
b œ œ œœœ œœœ œœœ œb œ œn œ b œ b

R/C
# œ œ œ œ
C/C (C)
‰ œ Ó
3
&
3 3 73
b œœ œœœ b œœœœ œœœœ œ b œœœ ˙˙ œœœ

b œ œ œ œ b œ ˙
91
œ
? bœ‰ Œ Œ œ ˙ œ
H/D (C)
J ‰ ‰ J Œ Œ
J
C/C (B) + R/C (T/E)
169
H/D (L/T) H/D (C) RiverMan/7

b œ# œr œ b œ3 n œ# œ œ3 A !bmaj7 bœ .
H/D (C)
œ œ
V/C (D)
œ œ b œ
& ‰œ . # œ # œ# œœn œ ‰ Ó œ œb œ œ
H/D (L/T)
Ó
3 3
J
b œœœœ œœœœ ## œœ b b œœœ œb œœœ œœœ bb œœœ œœœ œœœ ... œœœ
94
? Œ. JŒ œ Ó ‰ J œ
J
˙ Cmaj7 œ œ œ. œ œ bœ œ
V/D V/D
œ ˙.
r
& #œ
#œ
J
˙˙ b œœœœœ .... œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ ...
97 O/D (Ha/D)
? Œ ˙ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ .
œœ œœ jœœ œœ Ó E !7 b œbb œœœbb œœœœœ

13 C/C (B)
Cm7
H/C (Call and Response) H/D (P/D) + V/D
& # Ó Œ ‰ œ Œ Ó .
œ b b œœ œ b œœ b œœb œœ nn œœbb œœœœ b œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ b œœœ
? Ó b œœ œ œ œœœ b œœ Œ . œœ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œb œ Ó
99
C/C (B)
J
œ b œ b œœ A !maj7
H/C (P/E) H/C (M8)
& b# œœœ œ bn œœœ b œœœ œœœ b œ n œœ b œœ œœœ b œœ œœ ‰ œ œ œœ œ œœ œœ

3
3
bœ b œ
b œœ # œ
b œœ b œœœ nn œœ b œœ œ b œœœœ œœ n œœ b b œœœ ˙˙˙
b
102
? bœ Œ Œ ‰ J œ
Cmaj7
H/D (C) C/C
‰ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œœ œ œœ œœ œ œœ œœ œ œœ œ œ # œ œ œœ œ n œ # œ œ œœ œœ œœ n œ # œ œ œ œœ œœ
3 3 3 3
&
3
œ
œ œ œ œ
? b ˙˙˙˙
b b˙ œœœœ œœ
104
œœ œœ œœ œœ
H/C (M8.1)
œ Œ
J J
Cm7
14
œ œœ œ œ ‰ œœ œœ œœ Œ bb œœ
3 3 3
& œ œ # œ œ œ œœ œœ œ œœ œœ œœ
V/D
‰
3
œ nœ #œ œ œ nœ #œ nœ œ œ œ œ œ
œ. œœ œœ œœ .. œœ b œœœ ... œœœ ... œœœ œœœ ...
106
? œœ .. œ œ œ. œ b œ. œ. œ œ.
J J J
H/C (M8.2)
O/D (Hy/D)
170
RiverMan/8
E !7
H/C (M8.3) V/D H/C (M8.4)
‰ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ bb œœœ ‰ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œj ‰ bb œœœ
3 3 3 3 3 3 V/D
&
œ. œœœ ... œœœ œ œœ .. œœ œœ œœ
? bb œœœ ... bœ œ bœ
108
œ. ‰ œ J bœ . œ œ œ J
J J
R/D (M/S) + C/C (B)
b œ ! bœ 3 œ œ œ3 œ
œ œ œ œ
V/D
b œ œ A b œ œ œ
& ‰ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ ‰ b œœ ‰ œ œ œ œ
3 3 3 3 3 33
3
J
.
? b ˙˙˙ .. œœ œœ bœ
110
Œ b œ œœœ ˙
H/C (M8.5)
œ ‰œ Œ
3
J J
H/D (P/D) + R/D (M/A) V/D
Cmaj7
bœ œ bœ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ b œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ
3
‰ ≈ ‰ J ‰‰ ‰ J‰ J Œ
3 3 3 3
&
bœœ # œ œ œ œ # œ b œ 3 n œ3 œ
112
‰ ‰ J Œ nœ œ #œ œ œ #œ œ
5 4
? bœ
3
Cm7
V/D V/D
H/D (C)
H/D (C) H/D (P/D) + R/D (T/D) - until end of chorus 15
œ #œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ bœ œ œ œ œ œ œ # œ n œ # œ
b œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœ ‰ œœ # œ # œ
3 15 5 3 3
&
? œ œ #œ œ œ œ #œ œ #œ œ bœ nœ nœ bœ œ 3 b œ œ œ3 œ œ œ 3œ œ œ # œ3 # œ
114
‰ ‰
3 3 5
V/D
C/C (B) H/D (L/T) V/D
! H/D
b œ b œ ‰ œ œ œ œ 3œ œ œ œ3 œ œ 3œ œ bb œœEœœ7 œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œ
3 3
& œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œ œ œ œ
œ # œ œ œ # œ œ3 n œ œ œ bœ œ
116
? œ nœ bœ ˙ œ#œ œ
3
Ó ‰
3 3
H/D (L/T) (Em) (Dm)
171
RiverMan/9
bb# œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ

œœœœ ‰ œœœœ ‰ œœœœ œ œ
& œ œ œœ œ œ
J J
#œ œ œ œ œ #œ nœ œ bœ œ
bœ œ œ nœ #œ #œ nœ œ bœ
118
?
H/D (C)
A !maj7
(Eb) (E)
# œ œb œœn œœ œœœœ# œœ œœœ œn œœœ œœœ œ b œ œ œ3 œ œ œ3 œ œ 3œ œn œ œ œ# œ

C/C (B)
‰
& œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ ‰œœ œœ œœ œœ
3
J
œ b œ b œ œ œœ œœ .. b œœ œœ œœ .. œœ
119
? J bœ .
J ‰ R nœ b œ œ œ œ. b œ œ œ. œ
V/D 3
J J
R/D (M/A) H/D (C)
œœ œ b œ œ œ n œ œ
H/D (C)
Cmaj7 3 œ œ œ œ # œ
R/D (M/A)
œ # œ œ œ œ 12œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ # œ
3 3
& œ ‰ ≈
˙ œ œ œ. œ œ œœ3 œ # # œœ
? ‰ ˙ # œœ œœ œœ .. œ œ b œ œ
121
œœ ‰œœ Œ œ
3
J J ‰J ‰
H/D (L/T) O/D (Ha/D)
Cm7 b œ b œ
œ# œ œb œ œn œ# œ œ œn œ œ ¿ œ œ
16
œ # œ
O/D (Hy/D) + R/D (T/D)
.
œ# œ# œ œn œ œn œ ≈ # œ œ n œ œ œ œ b œ ‰
3
&
3
œ œ œ
b œœœ ... n## œœœ ˙˙˙ bb œœœ œœœ œœœ . b œœœœ
123
? Œ
H/D (C)
J ‰ J ‰ J Œ J
O/D (Ha/D)
bœ
R/C (T/E)
bœ b˙ œ b œ b œ œ œ3 œ œ œ3
C/C (C)
˙.
E !7 bœ
3
bœ b˙
& ˙. ‰
œœœœ .... b œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ b œœœ b œœ .. œœ œœ œœœ œœœ œœœœ œœœœ
125
? œ. œ œ œ œ
J J ‰ J J ‰
172
RiverMan/10 H/D (L/T)
A !maj7
C/C (C) C/C (C) 3 3
b œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ # œ3 # œn œb œ œ œ œ œœb œ œ
b œœœb œœœœœn œœ‰ œ œœ≈ œœ≈
H/D (L/T)
≈ œ
3
& ‰
œ œ # œœ œ œ œœœœ œœœœ
bb œœœ œœœ
O/D (Ha/D) (Ab7) (Bbm7) (Eb7) (Bbm7)
b œ œ œœ # œ œ
127 (Bm7)
? b œJ ‰ ‰ œJ Œ J ‰ Œ ‰ ‰
R/D (T/D) C/C
Cmaj7 3 œ œ 3
#œ œ œbœ œ œ œ
H/D (C) H/D (C)
b œ œ œ b œn œb œœœœœn œ œ# œr œ œœœ# œœœ œ œœb œ n œ

œ
C/C (B) V/D H/D (C)
V/C
≈
3 3
& œ
œœœ ... œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ .... œœœœ
129
? œ. Œ & ‰œ . œ # œ œ œ
H/D (C)
≈R œ
5
17 œCm7
.œ œœ
H/D (P/D) + R/D (M/A) + R/D (T/D)
b œ œ b œ . œ œ œ b œ n œ œ b œ œ œ ‰ b œj Œ b œ n# œœ
C/C
œ
3 V/D
b œ
3
& œ bœ bœ nœ œ
3 3
œ
bœ . œ œ bœ œœ‰ Œ
131 C/C
& ‰œ œ
H/D (C)
œ b œ œj œ
? Œ
3
œ.
E !7 # V/D b œ bœ bœ œ œ œ œ œ œ bœ œ nœ œ
H/D (L/T)
œ. œ œ
V/C (D) H/D (C)
bœ b œb œ
V/C (D)
& œœ .. b œJ Ó Œ ≈ œb œ
bb œœ b œœœ œœ #œ
n œ b œ b œœ
œœ œœ bb œœœœ3 n œœœ œœœ
‰ œJ ‰ œœJ ‰
133
? Œ œ Œ œ
H/D (C) H/D (C)
R/D (T/D)
œ œ œ b œ œ œ b œ œ œ œ œ œ5 œ
R/D (M/A)
A !maj7 b œ
œ œœ œ œœ œ œ b œ œ œ œ b œ œ œ œ
15
& œ œœ
b œœœ œ œ
œ œœ .. œœ .. b œœœ œœœ3 œœ n œœ 3 œ œ
œ b œœ . œœ . b œ œ œœ œ
135
? b œ b œœœ ‰ œJ . . ‰ ‰
œ nœ
Œ œ ‰ œ ‰ œœJ
O/D (Ha/D)
173
RiverMan/11
R/C (T/E) + H/C R/C + H/C
H/D (C)
œ œ œ œ œ œ3 œ œ œ b œ n œ3 œ œ œ3 œ
R/D (E/V)
Cmaj7
œ œ œ œ ‰
& œ
œ. œœœ œœœ œœœ œœ œœœ œœ œœ œœ .. œœ œœ
? œœœ ... b œœ
137
O/D (Ha/D)
œ œ œ #œ œ œ œ. œ œ
J J
œ œ # œœœ œ œœœ
V/D
Cm7 œ œ3 œ œ œ3 œ œ œ3 œ œ œ3 œ œ œ3 œ œ
3 3
‰ J‰
3
18
& ŒÓ
b œœœ ... œœœ ... œœœœ œœœœ bb œœœœ .... œœœœ œœœœ œ œœœ œœœ œœœ
139
? b œ. œ.
3
# œœ œœ œœ œ b œ œ3 œœ
C/C (C) +R/D (M/S)
E !7
C/C (C) +R/D (M/S)
œ œ
#œ ‰ œœ ‰ œœ n œ œ
3 3 3
3
& ‰ ‰ J
b œœœ3 b ˙˙˙ œœ œœ
141 3
? ‰ J ‰ œ ‰ œJ Œ
J
H/D (P/D) + R/D (M/A)
3j
œ œ3 ‰ # œœ bœ
3
œ bbb œœœœ n œ
3
& œœ œ b œœ n œœ ‰ b œœ ‰
œ
œ œœœ b œœ3 n# œœ b œœ n œ œ
? # œœ
œ nœ
142
b œ n # œœ b b œœ ‰ b œJ ‰ n œ ‰ œ
3 3 3
‰ ‰
(Eb) (Db) (Bb7+)
A !maj7
O/D (Ha/D) (A) (E)
œœ œ
V/D
# œ œœ œ b œ n œ ‰ œœ
& œ ‰ ‰ Ó bœ ‰ œ œ
3 3 3 3 3
J
# œ œ b œ3
143
? ‰ œœ ‰ ‰ œJ ‰
3
‰ ‰ J Œ Œ
3 3
J &
(A7) (Ab)
174
RiverMan/12
.
b œœ œ . œ œCmaj7 3œ œ œ œ
œn œ# œœ œ # œ œ 3 œ n œ œb œ
œœ ‰ œœ œ
H/D (L/T)
‰ # ‰ œ
œ œ b œ œ
3
œ œ
wow!!
& J #œ œ
3
œœ œ œ œ œ œ# œœ œœ œ . œ
144
& œ‰ ≈ j # œ œb œ ‰ œj ? œ n œœ œœ œœ # œ # œ œ . œ
3 3
bœ nœ œ œ # œ .œ bn œœ
(A7) (E7) (Ab7) (C) (D) (E) (A) (D)
œœ≈ œœœ ≈ œœœ .b œœ # œœ Cm7œ # œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ3 œ œ œ3 œ œ œ œ

‰J
19 3 3
& œ œ œ œ
œœ œœ b œœœ œœœ œœœ

146
? œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ b œœœ œœ b œœ œœ

œœ b œœ œœ Œ
œœ œœ
œœ œ œœ
œœ
œœ
3
œ œ ‰ JŒ b œ
J J
œ3 # œ œ œ3 œ œ œ œ œ b œ œ3 œ œ œ œ œ œ
(G) H/C (M8.6)
E !7
(C) (Cm) H/C (M8.7)
œ bœ œ œ œ œ
3 3 3 3
& ‰ ‰ ‰
bœ œœ œœ œœ3 œœ3 œœ œœ b œœ œœ œœ b œœ
? œJ Œ œ ‰ œ ‰ b œJ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ Œ œ œ
149
J J J
H/C (M8.8) H/C (M8.9)
A !maj7
bœ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ b3œ œ œ œ3 œ œ œ3 œ œ n œ œ3 ‰
3 3
& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œœ b œœ b œœ . œ œ œ œ .. œ œ
? œ œ Œ J ‰ ≈ œœ œœ œœ . œœ œœ b œœ œœ œœ œœ . œœ œœ
151
≈ J
H/C (M8.10) H/C (M8.11)
Cmaj7 bœ œ
œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ3 œ œ œ
V/D (D)
œ œ œ œ œ œ #œ œ bœ œ œ œ
‰ œ œ œœ
3 3 3
&
œœ œœ3 œ œ œœ œœ .. œœ œœ œœ œœ ..
153
? œ ‰ œ ‰ ‰ œœ ‰ ≈ œœ œ œ. œ œ œ
J ≈ œJ .
J J R
H/C (M8.12) H/C (M8.13)
175
H/D (P/D) RiverMan/13
√
R/C C/C (B)
wCm7 œ œ3 œ œ 3 b œ œ # œ œ n œ œ3 œ
Œ Œ œ œ
20
& w
œ bœ #œ
œ
? bb œœœ ‰ ‰ œœœ Œ œœœ œœœœ œ b œœœ œœœ œœœ ‰ œœœ œœœ œœœ ‰ b œœ
155
J J ‰ J J J
H/D (C) C/C (C)
E !7
œ œ# œ œ # œ# œ œ n œ œ œn œ
H/D (L/T) (E7) V/C (D)
œ n œ5 # œœ œ # œ # œ n œ n œ œ œ œ
3 3 3
‰J‰ œ ≈ œœb œ œ œœ œœœœ

œ
6
≈
3 3
&
b# œœœ œœœ œ œœ œœ b# œœœ ... œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ ˙˙˙
157 3
? Œ ‰ ‰
J ‰ . œR œ
A !maj7
œ œœœœ
bœ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ bœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
& œ œœ
3 3
3 3 3
b b œœœ œœœ bb œœœœ œœœœ ˙˙˙˙ œœ œ œ

159
? Œ ‰ œJ Œ J ‰ Œ ‰ J ‰ J
Cmaj7
V/D V/D
˙ œœ œ ˙ œ
œœ ‰ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ
3 3 3
& œœ œœ
r 3
#œ
œœ .. œœ œœ œœ b œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œ œ V/D
161
? œ . œœ œœ œ œ ‰ J œ œ ˙
J
V/D
5.11.1. Observations
Chorus 1 begins with a simple 3-note triplet-based motif (M1) played three times as a pickup
(bars 1–2); it is played again at bar 3 beat 1. Mehldau uses space during the first chorus of
this solo (e.g. bar 3 beat 2–bar 4 beat 5) and comping activity is increased to compensate. At
bar 5 he plays the initial motif again followed by three mild dissonances, a vertical, a
horizontal (chromatic), and another vertical dissonance before M1 is heard at the beginning
176
of bar 7, and again at the beginning of bar 8. Each occurrence of this motif varies from the
original slightly; it begins as a triplet figure from M1.1 to M1.3. The third note of M1.4 is
delayed; M1.5 is displaced by a triplet quaver, and M1.6 is rhythmically augmented.
Chorus 2 begins with a 2-bar blues figure at bar 11 beats 1–2, followed by rest until bar 13
beats 1–2, where another blues figure is heard. After another bar of rest a third blues figure is
heard at bar 15. Another bar of rest follows before a second motif (M2) is played then
repeated during bars 17–18. This motif consists of a vertical dissonance of a minor second
followed by a diagonal vertical consonance; M2 and M2.2 also contain a descending suffix.
Chorus 3 consists of five occurrences of M2 (played over C minor blues), separated by bars
of rest (bars 20, 22, and 26). Closing signal stabs can be found at bar 19 beats 3–4 and bar 21
beats 3–4, although in each case one of each of the pair of stabs is syncopated.
The first three bars of chorus 4 consist of syncopated stabs (bar 27), on-beat stabs (bar 28),
M2 (bar 29), and a vertical dissonance (bar 29); these events are all played using the C minor
blues scale. After a bar’s rest, a third motif (M3) is played at bar 31, a simple 3-note
ascending scalular figure using Eb-F-G; this motif is combined with metric asynchronicity
that is resolved during the next bar. Organic dissonance is heard by way of harmonic
destabilisation at bar 33, where Mehldau briefly spells a C minor triad instead of a C major;
both hands support this. Chorus 4 ends with two vertical dissonances and a blues passage at
bar 34, forming the fourth motivic figure of the solo (M4).
Chorus 5 begins with a restatement of M4 at bar 36, followed by stabs at bar 37. Dissonance
is established at bar 38 with a dissonant dyad, followed by a chromatic passage, then a
dissonant triad. After another dissonant dyad at bar 39, horizontal consonance is established
via call and response; a mild vertical dissonance (major second) is played at bar 40 beat 4
before a brief diminishing dispersal at bars 41–42.
Chorus 6 begins with a 2-beat pickup based on a fifth motif (M5), a descending blues figure
from F# to Eb. M5 is heard twice more during bars 43–45 before a vertical dissonance at bar
45 beat 4, which begins a passage of blues material harmonically supported by culturally
consonant block-chord-style comping. This style of comping creates a perceptual dissonance
through its harmonic density and some inner movement which resolves at bar 47. In addition,
rhythmic dissonance is achieved through metric asynchronicity during bars 46–47 and
expressive variation (straightening swing quavers) at bar 47 beats 1–2; both rhythmical
177
dissonances are resolved during the latter part of bar 47. The remainder of chorus 6 comprises
a repeated cultural consonance, a chromatic diatonic-like cliché based on a vertical consonant
triad embellished with chromatic passing tones. This cliché lasts only for one beat and is
heard 7 times during bars 49–50.
Chorus 7 begins with a further five repetitions of the cultural cliché heard during bars 49–50,
creating hypermetric dissonance from the previous chorus lasting bars 52–53. Repetition of
any sonority leads to saturation and the expectation of change, and at bar 54 Mehldau creates
contrastive valence by combining vertical dissonance, blues, and chromaticism with mild
perceptual dissonance (due to harmonic density and a contrapuntal line also played in the
right hand) from the second beat of bar 54 to the beginning of bar 55. He then resolves
dissonance by playing a blues passage lasting a bar. Chromaticism and a mild vertical
dissonance feature in bar 56, followed by a blues passage combined with another vertical
dissonance lasting for the rest of the chorus.
Chorus 8 begins with a blues figure at bar 59, followed by an organic consonance (by way of
melody) combined with metric asynchronicity during bars 60–61. This is the only occurrence
in the solo where the head is referenced. At bar 62 Mehldau continues rhythmical dissonance
via metric asynchronicity, combining it with two descending chromatic passages separated by
a minor third and concluded with a transformational beat at the beginning of bar 63. A
vertical consonance followed by a chromatic horizontal dissonance precedes a trill at bar 65;
the chorus finishes with an ascending linear tonality by way of harmonic anticipation of Cm7
at bar 66, followed by a chromatic run into the next bar.
Chorus 9 begins with perceptual consonance, Mehldau employing a simple repeated note and
a lack of temporal density during bars 67–68, followed by stabs at bar 69. Perceptual and
vertical dissonances are created from bar 70 with a dense chordal passage lasting for 2 bars.
To conclude the chorus, Mehldau increases temporal density and uses harmonic
destabilisation as he spells a cyclical chord sequence (A7+–Dm7–Em–E–A7) from bar 73
beat 3 to bar 74 beat 3.
Chorus 10 consists almost entirely of a sixth motif (M6) which is repeated four times after its
initial statement, creating a large section of horizontal consonance from bar 75 to bar 79. M6
is based on a melodic dyad played using triplets. Consonance created from bar 75 to bar 79 is
contrasted at bars 80–81 with a figure containing (1) perceptual dissonance to perceptual
easing, (2) rhythmic dissonance via metric asynchronicity, and (3) horizontal dissonance
178
using chromaticism. The highly dissonant nature of this figure is temporarily resolved with a
vertical and rhythmically consonant passage at bar 82, the last bar of chorus 10.
Chorus 11 begins with a small motivic figure played as a pickup to bar 83; this motif (M7)
consists of the notes G, Eb, E and F and is repeated twice in bar 83 after the initial statement
during bar 82 beat 5–bar 83 beat 1. Bar 84 contains two dissonant dyads, a minor seventh at
beat 3, and a minor ninth at beat 4; these are followed by syncopated stabs at the end of bar
84 and beginning of bar 85 respectively. Metric asynchronicity and perceptual dissonance is
combined with a largely disjunct melodic passage from bar 85 beat 4 to bar 87 beat 4. During
this time Mehldau uses vertical dissonances on a regular basis; for example, minor seconds
are found at bar 85 beat 4 and bar 86 beats 3, 4 and 5. Sometimes these dissonances are
extensions of Eb7, such as at bar 86 beat 4, where a B and C form a dissonant dyad
containing a sharp fifth (Chapter 4.2.1 on single note dissonances) and thirteenth respectively
(typical extension). Other times the sonority is not consonant to the chord, for example bar 86
beat 3 where a D and Eb are played - the D is a major seventh, inherently dissonant to Eb7.
Expressive variation is used during bar 87 beat 5–bar 88 beats 1–2, where Mehldau plays
straight quavers; this is followed by a phrase that concludes chorus 11. This combines
temporal density and metric asynchronicity with harmonic destabilisation as Mehldau
replaces C major with the chord sequence C–D–E–A–F#7–C from bar 89 beat 3 to bar 90
beat 3, combining it with chromaticism and linear tonality by way of anticipating C minor.
Chorus 12 begins with a rhythmically consonant repeated figure prefixed with chromaticism
at bar 91, followed by a chromatic phrase at bar 92. At bar 93 temporal density eases; this is
combined with a blues figure creating consonance before a contrastive phrase at bars 94–95,
a descending figure utilising a combination of chromaticism, and sidestep-derived linear
tonality (A major over Ab major). At bar 96 Mehldau plays a vertically consonant phrase
ending on an Ab, a dissonant note in C major. The dissonance of this particular Ab could be
questioned – certainly it is a dissonant sonority but it is also a romantic device and can be
justified as being simply the root of the previous chord, Ab. Mehldau plays an Fm6/C or
Dm7b5/C during the latter half of bar 97, destabilising the harmonic norm; this is resolved
during the next bar as C major and C sus chords are spelt.
Chorus 13 begins with a 2-beat pickup containing a dissonant dyad (bar 98 beat 4) leading
into a blues-based call and response phrase played between hands from bars 99–101.
Perceptual and vertical dissonances (mainly perfect fourths over Eb7) are combined from bar
179
101 beat 4 to bar 102 beat 5. Consonance (via perceptual easing) ensues at bar 103 followed
by an eighth motif (M8), a triplet-based dyad figure played from bar 103 beat 4 to the end of
bar 104. This chorus concludes with the reoccurrence of a cliché heard during chorus 6,
stated five times from bar 105 to bar 106 beat 3.
Chorus 14 begins with an instance of M8, creating hypermetric dissonance from chorus 13;
M8 is repeated four times from bar 107 to bar 110, each time suffixed with a dissonant dyad
or triad during the fifth beat of every bar. Rhythmic dissonance (metric shift) occurs during
bars 111–112, followed by perceptual dissonance by way of a counter-melody played by the
left hand from bar 112 beat 5 to bar 114 beat 5. During this time, Mehldau also plays with
metric asynchronicity and vertical dissonances such as C# (b9) over C major 7 at bar 113 beat
3, and Ab (b6) over C major 7 at bar 113 beat 4.
Chorus 15 begins with a loose blues-based ostinato-type figure played in the right hand,
accompanied by continuation of improvised melody from the previous chorus. As this
particular phrase is long it is not considered a hypermetric dissonance; instead it alludes to a
musical climax. If the phrase finished mid-chorus then a decision would have to be made as
to whether it is hypermetrically dissonant, which in this case it is not. In all cases, final
decisions such as these are made with help of the audio recording. At bar 117, after having
played mainly consonant material from the beginning of chorus 15, Mehldau employs large
amounts of disjunct melody and linear tonality from bar 117 to bar 118; the implied key
centres in order are: E minor (bar 117 beats 1–2), D minor (bar 117 beat 4–bar 118 beat 2),
Eb major (consonance) (bar 118 beats 2–4), and E major (bar 118 beats 4–5). At bar 119,
diatonicism is returned in the left hand after beat 1, supported by more blues-based ostinato
and dissonant dyads in the right hand. However, metric asynchronicity is introduced
combined with temporal density from bar 115, supporting a climax. During the last beat of
bar 120 improvised melody returns to Mehldau’s right hand, largely diatonic in nature and
utilising just two chromatic dissonances in bar 122, supported by sidestep-derived harmonic
destabilisation (Bb7-B) during the latter half of the bar.
Chorus 16 starts with two bars of hypermetric dissonance, as the improvised line continues
from the previous chorus, sidestepping briefly to B major at bar 123 beats 3–4. Mehldau
continues with temporal density but eases metric asynchronicity, slowly aligning to the
tactus; temporal easing and rhythmic consonance is fully achieved by bar 125. At bar 126
Mehldau plays a crip based on crip no. 6, replacing a descending arpeggiated figure with a
180
descending scale passage. The crip is repeated twice during bar 127 both diatonically (beats
4–5) and using the implied linear tonality of Bm7 during beats 2–3. During bars 127–128
Mehldau comps using both Ab7 and Bbm7-Eb7 instead of Ab major. Mehldau uses linear
tonality of C major over Ab major during bar 128 beats 4–5 and a blues passage in Ab at bar
129 beats 1–2, followed by a combination of chromaticism and mainly vertical consonances
at bars 129–130.
Chorus 17 begins with a 1-bar pickup from the previous chorus; perceptual dissonance and
metric asynchronicity are created via a contrapuntal line that begins in the left hand at bar 130
and consists of major blues, descending vertical consonance, and descending chromaticism;
counterpoint lasts for 3 bars until bar 132 beat 3, after which two dissonant dyads are played
during the last beat of bar 132 and the beginning of bar 133 respectively. After an ascending
chromatic left hand passage at bar 133 Mehldau uses a vertical consonance followed by
chromaticism at bar 134 beats 1–4, followed by C harmonic minor linear tonality at beat 5
and bar 135 beat 1. Temporal density is increased from bar 134 and eases at bar 137; bar 135
is horizontally and metrically consonant while bar 136 contains harmonic destabilisation via
Dm7–G7–Cmaj7, a II–V–I in C major, anticipating the tonic chord C in the succeeding two
bars. Bar 136 also contains metric asynchronicity from the right hand. Dissonance is resolved
from bar 137 with temporal easing and diatonic notes– an exception being the use of
harmonic destabilisation at bar 137 beats 4–5, with a cyclical triadic movement from D–G–C.
Chorus 18 begins with a repeated C played in triplets, a horizontal and rhythmical

consonance. At bar 141 Mehldau combines metric shift (8 quavers played as triplets) with
crip no. 5 (see Chapter 4.6.3 and Figure 47), repeated twice during the bar. From bar 142 to
bar 145 Mehldau uses harmonic destabilisation, metric asynchronicity, and perceptual
dissonance throughout, spelling the chord sequences given in Table 18.
181
Table 18: Harmonic Destabilisation of bars 142–145 of ‘River Man’
Bar Original Harmony Harmonic Destabilisation

(no extensions)
Bar 142 Eb7 A–Eb–E–Db–Bb7
Bar 143 Ab A7–Ab
Bar 144 Ab A7–E7–Ab7
Bar 145 C C–D–E–A–D
Bar 146 C G–C–Cm
Chorus 19 consists of M8 repeated eight times, once per bar from bar 147 to bar 154. A
vertical diagonal dissonance at bar 154 beats 3–5 acts as a harmonically anticipated pickup
measure into the final chorus of the solo. Chorus 20 starts with a rhythmical consonance at
bar 155, followed by a blues figure at bar 156. The final dissonant line of the solo (from bar
157 to bar 158) contains chromatic dissonance, followed by another instance of crip no. 5 and
then by E7 linear tonality before consonance is restored primarily by vertical means for the
rest of the solo.
5.11.2. Conclusions
At 13 pages, ‘River Man’ is by far the longest transcription in this exegesis and is the second
transcription requiring analysis of the grand stave. The solo consists of 20 choruses, each
chorus containing varying amounts of C/D, and is the quintessential ‘build’ solo. In general
each chorus becomes more complex, containing more simultaneous devices pertaining to
C/D. Also in general, consonance is used more during the opening part of the solo and
dissonance is introduced as the solo progresses, leading to a climactic point at chorus 18.
Table 19 shows C/D in each chorus of Mehldau’s ‘River Man’ solo. The first 10 choruses
show a gradual introduction of ideas relating to C/D. Chorus 11 contains a combination of
metric asynchronicity, harmonic destabilisation, perceptual dissonance, linear tonality, and
temporal density (this is particularly significant); this combination signifies the beginning of
a gradual build to a musical climax (via contrastive valence) at chorus 18.
182
Table 19: Consonance and Dissonance in River Man
Harmonic Destabilisation (O/D)

Horizontal Dissonance (Disjunct)
Hypermetric Dissonance (O/D)

Perceptual Dissonance (H/D)
Metric Asynchronicity (R/D)
Diminishing Dispersal (R/D)
Expressive Variation (R/D)

Temporal Density (R/D)
Call and Response (H/C)
Linear Tonality (H/D)

Cultural Consonance
Chromaticism (H/D)
Vertical Dissonance
Metric Shift (R/D)

Melody (O/C)
Motif (H/C)
Blues (C/C)
Chorus
1 P
P P P
2 P P
P P P P
3 P
P P P P
4 P P P P P P P P
5 P P P P P P P P
6 P P P P P P P P
7 P P P P P
8 P P P P P
9 P P P P P P
10 P
P P P P P P
11 P
P P P P P P P P P P P
12 P P P P P P P
13 P P P P P P
14 P P P P P P P P P P
15 P P
P P P P P P P P P
16 P
P P P P P P P P
17 P
P P P P P P P P P
18 P P
P P P P P P P P
19 P
P P
20 P P P P P
Legend: P = included in chorus PP = predominant feature of chorus
183
From chorus 11 (and with the exception of chorus 13) Mehldau uses either harmonic
destabilisation and/or linear tonality as a superimpositional tool. He improvises in waves,
allowing breathing space between choruses containing multiple dissonances. Examples of
this are (1) chorus 13 where Mehldau employs mainly consonant material such as blues,
motif, and call and response, and (2) chorus 19 where the entire chorus consists of motivic
material. Consonant choruses act as breathing space not unlike the use of space described in
the observations of choruses 1 and 2. A chorus of consonant material does not diminish the
build of a musical climax, but instead helps to elongate the build, something Burton (2012)
emphasises. Chorus 19 is simply an extension of chorus 18, and does not result in a reduction
of climax. When linear tonality is heard in chorus 20, this communicates that a climax is still
in place; it is not until bar 160 that there is a sense that the solo is coming to an end, achieved
with rhythmical, vertical, and horizontal consonances.
Mehldau uses very little melodic material in this solo; indeed it is only found in chorus 8.
Instead he uses repetition of small motivic cells and blues material early on for consonant
effect. Vertical dissonance can be found throughout the solo, Mehldau particularly favouring
the perfect fourth in chords; chromaticism is also a widely utilised device throughout.
Hypermetric dissonance is not a prevailing factor when evaluating a musical climax, nor is
diminishing dispersal or expressive variation; however they both contribute to solo
arousal/attention and valence. The essence of Mehldau’s solo in ‘River Man’ is (1)
introduction to solo via consonant material, (2) gradual introduction of new dissonant
elements, (3) gradual build to musical climax via juxtaposition of dissonances (in particular
metric asynchronicity, harmonic destabilisation, perceptual dissonance, linear tonality,
temporal density, and metric shift) and (4) elongation of music climax predominantly via
repetition of motif and other consonances.
5.12. Summary of Case Studies
This chapter has demonstrated Mehldau’s extensive and controlled use of C/D via the
analysis of 10 improvisations spanning eight albums released during a 17-year period from
1995 to 2012 (see Table 20).
184
Table 20: Case Studies
Track Name Album Group Live/Studio Year

Tres Palabras Anything Goes Trio Studio 2004
Secret Beach Live Trio Live 2008
Sky Turning Highway Rider Ensemble Studio 2010

Grey (For Elliott
Smith)
Blame It On My AOT2 Trio Studio 1995
Youth
Highway Rider Highway Rider Ensemble Studio 2010
Anything Goes Anything Goes Trio Studio 2004
Elegy For Elegiac Cycle Solo Studio 1999

William
Burroughs And
Allen Ginsberg
When It Rains Largo Ensemble Studio 2002
Ode Ode Trio Studio 2012
River Man AOT5 Trio Live 2001
While I am conscious of the potentially reductive process of the analysis, it is nevertheless

possible to draw tentative conclusions relating to Mehldau’s improvisational style after study
of 10 of his piano solos. Mehldau employs a strategy that often draws from organic
consonance via melodic statement, crip and blues, and a horizontal consonance via motif.
Mehldau uses these consonances in (1) thematic material for the initial stages of his
improvisation, and (2) end passages of dissonance or hyper-dissonance. He also uses them as
a prolongational tool (combined with temporal density and/or repetition), elongating sections
of wave-like improvisation during a musical climax or contrastive valence. In terms of
motivic material, these are usually short statements lasting 1–2 beats that are either repeated
until saturated or developed and changed; however, the motifs are usually (but not always)
185
regionally isolated during the solo, with Mehldau often favouring the statement and
development of a new motivic idea rather than revisiting material.
In terms of dissonance, it can be concluded that Mehldau uses chromaticism either as (1) a
prolongational tool, succeeding sections of dissonance such as linear tonality or diagonal
vertical dissonances, or (2) as melodic material furthering the disjunct nature of a phrase.
Mehldau uses expressive variation and diminishing dispersal for arousal/attention and
valence, adding to the depth of his playing. However, these tools do not play a significant
part in aiding climactic sections of music. Instead, Mehldau combines rhythmic dissonance
such as temporal density, metric asynchronicity or metric shift, perceptual dissonance (either
via tessitural extremes or counterpoint), horizontal dissonance (such as chromaticism and/or
linear tonality), and organic dissonance (harmonic destabilisation and/or hypermetric
dissonance) during musical climaxes. It is the combination of these elements that creates
hyper-dissonances that are used either to (1) culminate a wave-like improvisational build-like
passages before consonance is restored, or (2) to create a musical climax. Mehldau uses space
often during the beginning of a solo and also prior to either a hyper-dissonant or contrastive
passage, adding salience to the succeeding phrase. He restores consonance using motif, blues
and melody, as previously discussed. In addition, he also uses rhythmic consonances such as
transformational beats and metric synchronicity/repetition to ease dissonances.
Mehldau uses vertical dissonances extensively, favouring dissonant dyads and ‘wrong’ notes
(the perfect fourth in particular); both these devices are often used at the beginning of an
otherwise diatonic phrase providing contrastive valence. Vertical dissonances are also often
used in relatively consonant passages, either at the beginning or end of a solo. Other
contrastive pairings include a (1) diagonal vertical consonance followed by horizontal
dissonance, (2) vertical dissonance (including diagonal) followed by horizontal dissonance
followed by vertical consonance, (3) horizontal dissonance followed by vertical consonance,
and (4) horizontal consonance (motif) combined with horizontal dissonance (linear tonality).
Mehldau uses the following cultural consonances: enclosure, blues, 4-note groupings, tritone
substitution, sideslipping, octatonic scales, harmonic minor scale, and melodic minor devices.
However, with the exception of blues material, Mehldau doesn’t rely heavily on cultural
consonances and clichés, instead favouring the individualistic nature of motif and melody.
Culturally idiosyncratic material is heard more in Mehldau’s earlier recordings, whereas
perceptually dissonant material (e.g. counterpoint) is more common later on.
186
In terms of linear tonality, Mehldau applies normative practices of key centre anticipation
(e.g. many examples of this can be found in ‘River Man’). He also employs techniques such
as sideslipping to dissonant key centres before resolving them to consonant ones via
chromaticism or vertical consonances. Mehldau’s approach to linear tonality can be seen in
his choice of implied key centres; often he will imply key centres containing the occasional
vertical dissonance. For example, Mehldau might use the linear tonality of A major over a C7
chord; most of the notes found within an A major scale are consonant to C7 or C7alt, the
exception being the major seventh B, which would normally be flattened to Bb over a C7
sonority. This is a culturally dissonant concept. A table containing all of Mehldau’s implied
key centres can be found in Table 23, Chapter 6.3.4
Mehldau uses crips as consonances, especially stabs (crip no. 1); he also creates contrastive
valence by superimposing a cultural consonance (crip) with a horizontal dissonance (L/T) or
rhythmic dissonance (M/S). In terms of harmonic destabilisation, Mehldau often substitutes
the tonic major chord with either (1) the tonic minor chord, (2) the IIm chord, (3) the IVm
chord, or (4) the VII chord. The dominant chord is often replaced with the IIm chord and
often Mehldau utilises cycles (particularly the cycle of fourths) as substitutional tools both on
the tonic and chords functioning as dominant sonorities. Mehldau also inserts II-V substitutes
derived from tritone relationships; an example is shown in Table 21 below; here he
substitutes a G7 chord, the fifth chord of C major, with a IIm7-V7 in the tritone-related key
of Db.
Table 21: Tritone Reharmonisation
Original Cadence Dm7 G7 C major7

Substituted Cadence Dm7 Ebm7-Ab7 C major7
There is no build during the solo of ‘Secret Beach’, instead Mehldau utilises angular
melodicism for dissonant effect. In contrast to Mehldau’s solo during ‘Secret Beach’, the
outro contains a very effective prolonged build section over a short vamp. During short solos
such as ‘Tres Palabras’, ‘Elegy For William Burroughs And Allen Ginsberg’ and ‘Blame It
On My Youth’, Mehldau’s improvisation is as considered as in longer solos; in short, smaller
solos are still conceptually rich.
From information gleaned from analysis of 10 transcriptions, it is possible to elucidate

Mehldau’s normative improvisational concept as (1) introduction to solo via mainly
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consonant material (vertical dissonances are the exception to the rule, and ‘Sky Turning Grey
(For Elliott Smith)’ is a marked example, where Mehldau employs horizontal dissonant
material from the outset), (2) gradual introduction of new dissonant elements (including
dissonant both congruent and dissonant to cultural norms), and (3) gradual build to musical
climax (or climactic hypermetric waves using space to create expectation) via juxtaposition
of dissonances (in particular temporal density, metric asynchronicity, or metric shift (R/D),
harmonic destabilisation (O/D), perceptual dissonance (H/D), and linear tonality (H/D), and
(4) elongation of music climax predominantly via repetition of motif, blues, crips, melody
and other consonances. It is interesting to note that consonant events infused between
dissonant events do not reduce the level of climax. This concept is discussed by Burton
(2012) as perhaps being counterintuitive to some. In essence, consonant material adds
salience to dissonance that succeeds it; similarly, the use of silence/space makes the
subsequent notes seem more important.
As a visual summary and to aid clarification, Table 22 shows each of the 10 transcriptions
with a summary of their most important improvisational attributes.
Table 22: Summary of Salient Improvisational Attributes
Track Name Improvisational Attributes

Tres Palabras Short solo but contains nearly all types of C/D –
Melody (O/C) and motif (H/C) throughout –
Expressive variation and diminishing dispersal (R/D)
at hypermetric cadences – Perceptual dissonance
(H/D) and temporal density (R/D) combined for
greater affect – More vertical dissonance during
second half of solo – Hypermetric dissonance (O/D)
even on short solo – Chromaticism (H/D) used as
motif and as descending horizontal bridge –
Rhythmic consonances to resolve dissonance –
Improvisation in waves
Secret Beach Combines dissonant dyads with disjunct melodicism
– Significant melodic or melodically derived motivic
use – Nearly no rhythmic dissonance – Significant
blues use – Perceptual dissonance does not lead to
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contrastive valence as nearly no dissonance in climax

– A static solo heavily relying on the combination of
melody, motif, disjunct melodicism, blues material
and vertical dissonance
Sky Turning Grey (For Breaks normative schema by strong vertical and
Elliott Smith) horizontal dissonance early on – Precedes hyper-
dissonances with rests – Many melodic references –
Cultural norms including sideslipping, pentatonics,
harmonic generalisation, and blues – Uses temporal
density to aid climax – Either maintains C/D
relationships within each hypermeter, neither
increasing nor decreasing arousal/attention, or builds
arousal/attention during the end of each section of the
form
Blame It On My Youth More cultural consonance than other solos – More
use of stabs – Less melodic references – More
motivic use – Marked amount of romantic
melodicism – Some phrases begin with space
followed by perceptual easing – Even though it was
recorded 20 years ago there is still vertical
dissonances with cultural dissonances – No
hypermetric dissonance
Highway Rider Organic consonances via melody – Motif used to
bind hypermeters and ease hyper-dissonance – Solos
builds in waves with perceptual dissonance at climax
– Solo includes metric asynchronicity and metric
shift which are juxtaposed onto consonant material
adhering to slack theory – Regular use of vertical
dissonances even during relatively consonant
sections
Anything Goes No melodic references – Heavy motivic usage
primarily based on consonant small 2-beat cells
inspired by classical ornamentation – More rhythmic
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asynchronicity than other solos – Consonant/motivic

to dissonant/harmonic strategy – Use of hypermetric
dissonance
Elegy For William No motifs – Heavy use of perceptual dissonance to
Burroughs And Allen conclude hypermeters, using wave-like contouring,
Ginsberg often with temporal density as an aid – Uses vertical
ascending consonance with horizontal descending
dissonances as strategy – Interjects vertical
dissonances by way of ‘wrong’ notes – Melodic
consonance combined with vertical dissonance –
Major blues scale favoured over the minor – Uses
transformational beats
When It Rains Extensive use of motif and crip – Motifs usually
consist of short cells, 2–7 notes in length, often
repeated, sometimes developed – Crips are largely
diatonic but sometimes combined with linear tonality
– Use of space to create expectation – Use of
repetition to saturate, creating expectation of change
– Climax includes heavy use of contrastive valence
including concurrent metric asynchronicity, temporal
density, perceptual dissonance, and linear tonality
Ode Perceptual dissonance via contrapuntal lines –
Extensive use of motif – Use of space to outside
concept – Hypermetric dissonance – Use of call and
response including antiphony – Interesting linear
tonality
River Man Quintessential ‘build’ type solo – Very little melodic
material used; motif and blues used instead – Vertical
dissonance throughout especially perfect fourth –
Chromaticism used throughout – The essence of the
solo is (1) introduction to solo via consonant
material, (2) gradual introduction of new dissonant
elements, (3) gradual build to musical climax via
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juxtaposition of dissonances (in particular metric

asynchronicity, harmonic destabilisation, perceptual
dissonance, linear tonality, temporal density, and
metric shift), and (4) elongation of music climax
predominantly via repetition of motif and other
consonances.
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Chapter 6 - Practice Directions
Chapter 6. Practice Directions Using the Analytical Framework
6.1. Introduction to Practice Component
Chapters 4 and 5 defined and exemplified an analytical model exploring consonance and
dissonance (C/D) found in the music of Brad Mehldau. A Doctor of Musical Arts is a
practical doctoral degree and I performed five recitals over the course of four years that
demonstrated the practical application of C/D described in this chapter. Burton states that
internalisation is essential when learning improvisational tools, as elements of language must
be transferred from the conscious to the unconscious mind via repetition. The unconscious
mind is much quicker than the conscious one and therefore it is necessary to internalise (via
rote) autodidactically driven musical concepts (Burton, 2012). Once this has been achieved
then an improviser is free to observe and direct the course of a solo without being restricted
by conscious thought processes. Over the course of my study I have internalised the concepts
described in this chapter.
Essentially this chapter shows how I have used my study of Brad Mehldau’s music to inform
my own playing. In general terms I am applying a novel analytical framework of C/D to my
own performances, using conclusions drawn from Chapters 4 and 5. Although inspired by
Mehldau’s work, I perform in a way that avoids exact modelling of Mehldau’s
improvisational style. For example, I might combine temporal density, metric asynchronicity,
harmonic destabilisation, perceptual dissonance, and linear tonality in a personal way,
forming phrases that are directly related to me as an improvising musician. Some of the
devices that I have within my employ are copies of Mehldau’s, and others are derived from
my concept of C/D in general.
Chapters 6.2–6.6 describe the use of individual sonorities pertaining to C/D (vertical,
horizontal, rhythmic, organic, and cultural). Chapter 6.7 outlines psychological concepts of
expectation derived from cognitive studies before Chapter 6.8 illustrates the holistic use of
C/D via analysis of a prepared improvisation. Chapter 6.9 outlines compositional tools using
C/D. Finally, Chapters 6.10 and 6.11 summarise this chapter and the entire exegesis
respectively.
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6.2. Vertical C/D
Vertical C/D is a tool that Mehldau uses extensively in his improvisations. I have adapted the
following strategies into my playing: single notes, dyads, diagonal C/D, and vertical hyper-
dissonances.
6.2.1. Single Notes and Dyads
I add dissonant single notes to a chord (such as a perfect fourth on a major chord or a major
third on a minor chord), which helps to form contrastive valence in a line, often at the
beginning of a phrase (see Figure 106). I employ mild dissonances such as major seconds at
the beginning of solos; these dissonances are diatonic to the harmonic framework. I employ
more dissonant intervals such as minor seconds, major sevenths, and flat ninths at the
beginning of a phrase to form contrastive valence. On occasion I use single-note dissonances
during an exposed passage, possibly at the beginning of a solo or in a ballad; this obvious
‘wrong’ note can be effective if combined with expressive variation and a consonance such as
a motif or as part of a lyrical phrase.
Dissonant Dyad
Dm7 G7 C
&c #œ nœ œ bœ œ œ w
1 bœ œ œ
Single Note Dissonance
Figure 106: Dissonant Single Notes and Dyads
6.2.2. Diagonal C/D
I employ diagonal dissonance by way of arpeggios that may contain elements that are not
diatonic to the harmonic framework. An example is a Lydian ascending passage as an
opening statement of a phrase. For example, I might play a G LAP over a G minor chord in a
II–V–I progression in F major; this is a relatively ‘inside’ sound containing only two ‘wrong’
notes (B and C#). A more ‘outside’ example would be an E LAP over a G minor chord (see
Figure 107). An ‘outside’-sounding ascending arpeggio may produce a negative limbic
response that is suffixed with a descending figure (immediately reducing dissonance via
perceptual easing) and which is either consonant or contains elements of dissonance still to be
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resolved. I use both consonant and dissonant arpeggios regularly to extend the range of my
phrases towards tessitural limits; when defining the term arpeggio I include any vertical
sonority that spells a chord, including creative use of any vertical shape/cell.
C7
Gm7 œ b œ F
œ # œ # œ bœ n œ n œ œ œ œ bœ w
&c œ # œ # œ œ
1 œ Vertical Hyper dissonance
Figure 107: Diagonal Dissonance
6.2.3. Vertical Hyper-Dissonances
I combine the use of dissonant intervals and dissonant single notes forming a vertical hyper-
dissonance. For example, I may play a dissonant dyad starting from flat ninth of C7, forming
a minor seventh but also spelling the notes Db (flat ninth) and B natural (major seventh). B
natural is culturally dissonant to C7 and if played on a downbeat also constitutes a single-note
dissonance (see Figure 108). Another example is a phrase beginning with a B natural and A#
played together as a dissonant dyad. If used to open a phrase over a C7 chord then it would
not only constitute a dissonant dyad by way of a minor second, but the B natural is also
dissonant to C7 (also see Figure 108).
Gm7 C7 F
& c œ bœ œ œ #n œœ n œ b œ b œ w
1
Vertical Hyper Dissonance
∑
Figure 108: Vertical Hyper-Dissonance
&6.3. Horizontal C/D

3
I have incorporated elements such as melodicism, motif, chromaticism, linear tonality, and
perceptual C/D into my improvisational practice.
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6.3.1. Consonant and Dissonant Melodicism
I have practised playing conjunct improvisational lines, maintaining or easing dissonance. I

have also practised improvising in a melodically disjunct manner, creating diatonic angularity
within my line. I have practised employing romantic devices, especially during ballads and
other slow tempo works; I am particularly drawn to romanticism in jazz. Romantic devices
include leaps of a major or minor sixth, other intervallic skips for drama, use of flat sixths at
cadences, lyrical intervallic quality, enhancement of cadential resolution via non harmonic
notes, melodic chromaticism, balanced three-part motivic statements, and cadential
suspension (see Figure 109).
Conjunct and lyrical quality
Gm7 C7
Large Intervallic Leaps
Minor Sixth Leap
bœ œ œ
Melodic Chromaticism
&c ‰ # œ œ bœ bœ
1 œ œ œ œ œ œ bœ nœ
Three-Part Motivic Statement
F Cadential Flat sixth
& bœ œ bœ bœ œ
œ œ œ ˙ ˙
3
Minor Sixth leap Cadential Suspension
Figure 109: Romantic Devices
6.3.2. Motif and Call and Response
I have practised improvising using motif in isolated blocks; developmental tools such as
sequence, change of mode, contrary motion/inversion, addition/subtraction, call/response,
augmentation/diminution are important. However, for my practice, an intuitive approach has
been applied to motif and motivic development; I try and play what I hear. In terms of source
material, I use small motivic cells inspired by melodic fragments, classical ornamentation, or
rhythmical feet such as dactyls etc. (see Figure 110).
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C Dactylic Rhythm
&c œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ #œ œ œ œ œ bœ w
1
M1 M1.2
M1.1
Figure 110: Dactylic Motif
6.3.3. Chromaticism
I have practised the creative use of chromaticism, in particular using it as a source of melodic
material. Challenges involved in creating chromatic melodic lines are not small –
chromaticism is the antithesis of diatonicism. One way that chromatic melodicism can be
achieved in improvisation is by separating sections of chromaticism with larger intervals such
as a minor/major third. Exaggerated use of chromatic approach tones is another way, or by
creating lines containing chromatically alternating contrary motion. In all cases, repetition of
any inherently dissonant sonority will increase predictability which in turn provides the
listener with positive valence through a successful prediction effect (see Figure 111). Less
creatively, I also use chromaticism to elongate dissonant passages and to join elements of
C/D together. For example, the dissonance of an ascending arpeggio may be prolonged via
the use of chromaticism before a consonant sonority relieves dissonance to consonance.
Separating Chromaticism with a Minor Third

Chromatically Alternating Contrary Motion
Fm
bœ œ bœ œ
&c œ bœ nœ œ
œ bœ œ bœ
bœ nœ bœ nœ œ œ nœ
bw
Exaggerateed Chromatic Approach Tones
Figure 111: Chromaticism
6.3.4. Linear Tonality
I combine linear tonality with cultural consonances and dissonances including anticipation,
sideslipping, and substitution using modes from major, harmonic, and melodic minor scales.
Table 23 shows examples of linear tonality that Mehldau uses; some of these tonalities
confirm to normative practice (such as tritone substitution). As described earlier, other
tonalities, when superimposed on a chord, contain many elements of consonance combined
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with some dissonance. An example of this is an A major played over C7; the most dissonant
note is the B natural over the C7. Other examples of linear tonality are more extreme; an A
major played over C minor harmony is very dissonant (B, C#, E, F# and G# are all dissonant
single notes in C minor). In all cases, the important aspect is how the dissonance is resolved;
forward motion is key here (Galper, 2005). Resolution to consonance is more effective
through strong dissonances immediately prior to resolution onset; this is why musical
climaxes are so effective, containing extreme amounts of dissonance followed by eventual
release to consonance.
Table 23: Linear Tonality
Chord Linear Tonality

C major Eb minor, Eb major, E major, C minor, B
major, A major, Ab major, F# major, F#
minor
C minor A major, Ab7, Db major, E minor, B
major, B minor
C minor7b5 B minor
C7 A major, A minor, Db major, Ab major,
Bb minor, Ab minor, Db7, Db minor, F#
minor, E major, E7, B major, B minor, Eb
minor blues
6.3.5. Perceptual Tonal Dissonance
I have practised the use of perceptual dissonance via the use of (1) extremes in tessitural
range, (2) performance of two or more simultaneous lines (e.g. counterpoint), and (3) textural
density (e.g. chordal improvisation). This form of dissonance involves strong technique
(when considering tessitural limits) and strong independence when playing two or more
simultaneous lines (Figure 112).
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Perceptual Tonal Dissonance via two Simultaneous Lines
œ œ œ œ
œ bœ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ #œ œ œ œ #œ œ œ n˙
&c œ
œ. œ. œ. œ. œ. œ œ œ. œ. ˙
Figure 112: Perceptual Tonal Dissonance
6.4. Rhythmic C/D
I have practised rhythmical dissonances to not only improve the depth of my performances,
but also to enable me to enhance holistic forms of C/D. Rhythmic C/D can be divided into
two types: (1) rhythmic C/D that adds depth and colour to a solo such as diminishing
dispersal and expressive variation, and (2) rhythmic C/D that helps musical climax such as
metric asynchronicity, metric shift, and temporal density.
6.4.1. Diminishing Dispersal and Expressive Variation
I have practised superimposing straight feel on swing meter, and swung feel on straight
meter. I have also practised ‘laying back’ or ‘pushing forward’ phrases or parts of phrases.
These devices are particularly effective during slower tempos and/or during more consonant
sections of improvisation, such as the beginning of a solo. The effectiveness of playing a
swing feel over a straight groove, for example, is enhanced when the rhythm section remains
where it is in the beat; dissonance formed can be considered akin to tension when stretching a
rubber band. If the groove is maintained then dissonance is maintained due to the metric rub
between rhythm section and soloist. The same can also be said for playing behind or ahead of
the beat.
Another important aspect of expressive variation is its use at cadence points or at points of
perceived importance. Perhaps the quintessential example is a ritard during a cadence. Huron
(2006) notes, ‘the final cadence involves approaching the most predictable pitch, the most
predictable chord, and the most predictable metric moment. High predictability provides an
opportunity to heighten the tension response and thereby increase the pleasure evoked by
contrastive valence. In performed music, highly marked ritards may occur just prior to the
resolution of a tendency tone but this resolution may not necessarily coincide with an
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important structure division. The resolution of a 4–3 suspension, for example, is often
accompanied by slowing down, even though the moment is not closural and does not
delineate a structural boundary’ (Huron, 2006, p. 316). With that in mind it is possible to
make important phrases evoke a certain longing via subtle ritards played within the metric
framework.
Diminishing dispersal is essentially a rhythmical cadence in its own right; initial deviation
from the tactus creates dynamic metric dissonance that slowly resolves over time. Used in
this manner it can easily be combined with cadential tonality, for example adding salience to
line played over a II–V–I progression (see Figure 113).
Fm7 B !7 C
Dm7
œ
&c ≈ œj . ≈ œ œ œj ‰ # œJ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ # œ œ b œ b œ œ œ b œ w
6 3
1
Figure 113: Diminishing Dispersal
6.4.2. Metric Asynchronicity/Metric Shift and Temporal Density
I have practised improvising with no metric feel to create metric asynchronicity; the most
effective way that this concept can be applied is by combining it with a strong
transformational beat at the end of the phrase, re-establishing the tactus. I sometimes employ
metric shift during the latter half of a solo to increase arousal/attention and temporal density
as a fundamental tool during musical climaxes and also between hypermetric divisions. Like
other forms of C/D, temporal density can be used as part of a hyper-dissonance (e.g. it can be
combined with linear tonality or chromaticism) or adhere to slack theory (Liebman, 2005).
6.5. Organic C/D
As described in Chapter 4, organic C/D relates directly to the strophe or form of the
composition from which the improvisation has been derived. Any section of music that
correlates with the melody, harmonic structure, or hypermeter can be considered a
consonance; contrarily, any section of music that violates the strophe can be considered a
dissonance. Organic consonances that I use are melodic quotes; organic dissonances are
hypermetric dissonance and harmonic destabilisation.
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6.5.1. Melodic Quotes
A quotation from the melody (either in full, rhythmically, melodically, or via alteration that
preserves identity of the quote) is a musical consonance. I employ this organic consonance as
(1) an opening statement at the beginning of a solo, using elements of melody from which to
derive further improvisation material, and (2) as a consonance between dissonances or hyper-
dissonances. A melodic quote is particularly useful during the opening improvisational
gambit. I sometimes try to derive some of my improvisation from the head, quoting from the
melody then developing those melodic fragments in a similar way that I develop motifs. I use
melodic quotes to return to the melody after a period of hyper-dissonance in a similar way
that I may employ motivic consonance. In this regard motif and melodic quotes are quite
similar, both being used to springboard ideas and relieve dissonances, but a melodic quote is
a dynamic reminder of the organism and arguably has a stronger perceived effect on an
audience.
6.5.2. Hypermetric Dissonance
I employ hypermetric dissonance during both the initial and latter stages of a solo. Like
diminishing dispersal and expressive variation, hypermetric dissonance is a tool that adds
depth to an improvisation without significantly aiding a musical climax. The subtle effects of
hypermetric dissonance contribute to musical arousal/attention, helping to alleviate
predictability of improvisational lines. Hypermetric dissonance should deviate from the
hypermeter sufficiently enough so that it cannot be misconstrued as an anacrusis or a phrase
extension. For example, I may utilise hypermetric dissonance by beginning lines that start
roughly 4 bars into an 8-bar hypermeter. Alternatively, I may simply choose to elongate a
phrase by 4 bars into an 8-bar hypermeter.
6.5.3. Harmonic Destabilisation
Harmonic destabilisation plays an important role in my improvisational style. Currently it is a

tool that I use to aid a musical climax during the latter part of a solo. Isolated sonorities and
chord sequences are equally important for me. In terms of isolated chords, examples of
concepts that I use are listed in Table 24.
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Table 24: Harmonic Destabilisation – Static Chords
Original Chord Harmonic Destabilisation

Dominant Seventh Play the diatonically related IIm7 chord (e.g.
F7 becomes Cm7/F)
Dominant Seventh Replace with a dominant seventh flat 9 (e.g.
F7 becomes F7susb9)
Major Seventh (Tonic) Play the related IIm7 chord (e.g. Cmaj7
becomes Dm7/C)
Major Seventh (Tonic) Sharpen the fifth of a major seventh chord
(e.g. Cmaj7 becomes Cmaj7#5)
Major Seventh (Tonic) Play II major chord (e.g. C major becomes D
major/C)
Major Seventh (Tonic) Replace with a minor chord (e.g. C maj7
becomes Cm7)
Major Seventh (Tonic) Replace with a dominant chord (e.g. C major
becomes C7)
Major Seventh (Tonic) Replace with a bVIm7 (e.g. C major becomes
Abm7/C)
Minor Seventh Replace with a major chord (e.g. Cm7
becomes Cmaj7)
Minor Seventh Replace with a minor 69 chord a fourth
above (e.g. C minor becomes Fm69/C)
Minor Seventh Replace with a minor chord a tone below
(e.g. Cm7 becomes Bbm7/C)
I sometimes try to link these isolated chords together using rules of harmonic economy. For
example, C–Gm7–C7–F–Fm7–Bb7–C may become Gm/C–Fm7/G–Bbm/C–Cm7/F–Bbm/F–
Abm/Bb–D/C, creating a strong sense of harmonic destabilisation. At other times I may
simply hold one chord for a long period, essentially replacing the chord sequence with a
modal passage. The bass player may choose to join my idea or outline the original changes;
both choices are effective.
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Chord sequences that I use to create harmonic destabilisation are listed in Table 25. I utilise
logic behind any harmonic destabilisation; this is because a sense of logic provides a
backbone to the process. Without a sense of logic, any superimposition sounds too random,
like it does not belong. Logical harmonic destabilisation may include use of easily
recognisable harmonic sequences or follow the pattern of the melody or bassline.
Table 25: Harmonic Destabilisation – Chord Sequences
Original Chord/Chord Sequence Harmonic Destabilisation

C major or diatonic chords found within C I–II major–III major–VI–II major–V–I (e.g.
major (e.g. C–Am–Dm–G7) C–D–E–F–G–C)
As above Descending minor chords (e.g. Gm7–Fm7–
Ebm7–Dm7
As above Ascending minor chords (e.g. Gm7–Am7–
Bbm7–Bm7)
As above II–V’s descending in tones (e.g. Gm7–C7–
Fm7–Bb7–Ebm7–Ab7–G7–C)
As above Triads played through common sequences
with occasional disjunct intervals (e.g. C–F–
Eb–Ab–D–A–D–C#–G–A–F–B–C)
Dm7–G7–C major 7 Dm7–Ebm7–Ab7–G7–C major
As with other larger-scale dissonances, focus is placed on the resolution of harmonic

destabilisation; here parallels can be drawn with a transformational beat. A transformational
harmonic return during the downbeat of a hypermeter instantly transforms harmonic
dissonance into harmonic consonance, evoking a strong limbic reversal. Without this
reversal, the audience may perceive the transition from organic dissonance to organic
consonance as weak or as a mistake.
6.6. Cultural C/D
Culturally consonant elements contained within my improvisation include regular use of

blues passages, crips (idiosyncrasies influenced by Mehldau and others), and some formulaic
language. Culturally dissonant sonorities that I use include triads and other simple chords
(especially in root positions and second inversion). These triads are axiomatically consonant
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to anyone encultured to Western tonal music but when heard within the tradition of jazz
improvisation they sound culturally dissonant.
6.6.1. Blues
I often utilise both the major and minor blues scales, but not necessarily as individual
sonorities. The sharp fourth and flat third are often referred to as the blue notes; Mehldau
often combines these notes with minor second intervals derived from either the major or the
minor blues scale. For example, playing an E and an Eb together followed by an E and F
together then returning to an E and Eb is dissonant due to the minor seconds but is largely
derived from the major blues scale in C (C–D–Eb–E–G–A–C) with only F falling outside the
scale. If the dyads ascend using minor seconds then they start to utilise the minor blues scale
too (C–Eb–F–F#–G–Bb–C); for example F and F# to F# and G (see Figure 114). Burton
(2012) notes that blues notes can be simply incorporated into Mixolydian or Ionian passages.
I use blues-like sounds as a cultural consonance, sometimes combining them with chromatic
or other dissonant intervals for contrastive valence.
C7
&c œ
j # œœ œ
‰
œ
j œœ œ
‰
œ
j
C Major Blues Scale C Major Blues Scale
& # œœ œ b œ n œ b œ n œ œ w
œ œ # œ
3
2
œ œ
C Minor Blues Scale
Figure 114: Blues
6.6.2. Formulaic Improvisation
Fragments of formulaic improvisation found in my solos may include (but are not limited to)
devices such as CMAR, CESH, 3-b9 movement, enclosure (diatonic and chromatic), triad
pairing, upper structure, octatonic scales, hexatonic scales, modes from melodic and
harmonic minor, pentatonics, quartal improvisation, and 4-note groupings.
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6.7. Music and the Psychology of Expectation
Understanding masterful manipulation of consonance and dissonance has required an

understanding of (1) cognitive processes derived from enculturation to Western tonal musical
principles, (2) biological impulses inherent to human nature, and (3) how these relate to
musical perception on both small and large scales. It is not within the scope of this exegesis
to document a full enquiry into cognitive and psychological processes; as mentioned earlier,
David Huron (2006), continuing the work of Leonard Meyer (1956), has provided an
excellent survey of this field. This section summarises the cognitive elements that help me
manipulate C/D in my own improvisation and composition, elements that played an
important role in informing the direction of the practice-directed component of this degree.
6.7.1. Prediction Response/Effect
I employ predictable events such as organic and cultural consonances, increasing

predictability and evoking positive valence either through local repetition (organic
consonance) or through cultural reiteration (cultural consonance). I also employ regular
repetition in my improvisation by way of vamp, motif, and melodic organicism. An
improviser who employs a large amount of cultural consonance would be potentially creating
a large amount of predictability that may in turn evoke very positive emotional responses
from an encultured listener. However, I am an improviser who wishes to create spontaneous
melodically derived improvisation; my music may not appeal to a listener requiring a high
level of cultural familiarity.
6.7.2. Reaction Response and Appraisal Response
Musical surprises that I have within my employ include the use of unexpected harmonic
norms (harmonic destabilisation), linear tonality, perceptual dissonance (tessitural surprises
and counterpoint, etc.), dynamic surprises, cultural dissonance, vertical dissonances, and
rhythmic dissonances such as metric shift and metric asynchronicity, to name a few).
6.7.3. Contrastive Valence/Limbic Contrast
As the ultimate aim of my music is to produce a positive affect for the listener, one of my
fundamental tools has to be the use of contrastive valence. Throughout this exegesis this
phrase has been used to describe events that produce a contrasting limbic response. In many
ways, contrastive valence is everywhere. A listener encultured to Western tonal music learns
205
that a home-away-home paradigm exists in such music; in short, a tonality is heard

(tonic/home) then an event happens that creates a desire to return to that feeling
(dominant/away), and a sense of release is felt when that sonority changes back to the tonic
(home). The contrastive state built on the juxtaposition of a dominant and tonic sonority in a
cadence is a good example (e.g. Cmaj7–Dm7–G7–Cmaj7). As I have alluded to in previous
chapters, there are many ways that a performer can evoke a sense of contrastive valence. The
way that Mehldau uses contrastive valence was demonstrated in Chapter 4.7 and my holistic
improvisational concept (largely informed by contrastive valence) will be exemplified in
Chapter 6.8. Table 26 summarises the theoretical possibilities of contrastive valence that I
have explored via practice-directed research.
Table 26: Contrastive Valence
Type of Contrastive Valence Description

Diminishing Dispersal Creates contrastive valence as metric asynchronicity
gradually resolves to tactus placed metric synchronicity.
Dissonance–Consonance For example: Vertical dissonance may be followed by a
horizontal consonance. ‘Aside from climaxes, in most
circumstances where listeners experience contrastive
valence, the transition from negative to positive is
accomplished quickly – typically in less than half a second.
It is this rapid transition that makes it difficult for listeners
to become aware of the initial negative limbic response’
(Huron, 2006, p. 326).
Climax (or hypermetric Multiple dissonances occurring simultaneously or
climax) sequentially that are finally resolved on cadential closure
‘The climax may represent the epitome of contrastive
valence in music making. The high sensory dissonance,
high physiological arousal, high physiological arousal, high
physiological stress, and vivid feelings of anticipation
combine to set the stage for a dramatic limbic reversal’
(Huron, 2006, p. 326).
Ritard Helps a contrastive valence become even more contrastive
by delaying onset of resolution. The same can be said of
most expressive variation (such as laying back on the beat).
206
‘Performers often hesitate or slow at points of high

certainty, such as phrase endings, downbeats, hypermetric
downbeats, tendency tones, and final cadences’ (Huron,
2006, p. 328).
Suspension/Delay Similar to ritard but using harmonic/melodic instead of
rhythmic devices. Another method to add to contrastive
valence. ‘By delaying the advent of the expected event, the
state of anticipation can be sustained and so made more
salient for a listener… other delaying tactics include
interposing embellishments, chords… and other
interjections’ (Huron, 2006, p. 328).
Use of Space Similar to ritard, suspension/delay. Use of space in
improvisation breaks habitual expectations. ‘Tension-
related contrastive valence can be evoked by delaying the
onset of highly expected events. This can be achieved
through simple pauses’ (Huron, 2006, p. 367).
6.7.4. PRA
The cognitive elements described in this section have helped me manipulate C/D in my
practice-directed exploration into music, but my own sense of aesthetic appeal was the final
judge during practice and performance. Huron reminds us that ‘in the context of music
making, the prediction effect and contrastive valence are psychological tools, not aesthetic
imperatives’ (p. 240). These caveats notwithstanding and all things being equal, one can
conclude that music that evokes a positive limbic affect either through prediction response
and/or contrastive valence is generally a good thing, and for the purposes of both this
exegesis and my recitals this has been essentially my primary goal.
To conclude this cognitive enquiry, it has been demonstrated that an understanding of how
music is perceived by an audience will increase affect. Huron (2006) states, ‘Imagining how
others might respond is one of the creative engines available to performers and composers.
When composing a composer will sometimes imagine how people are likely to respond to a
particular passage or device. Similarly, performers will sometimes imagine the experience of
listeners, or even the responses of friends or critics’ (p. 328).
207
6.8. Holistic Concept
Thus far this chapter has demonstrated individual elements of C/D that are within my
command as an improviser. This section shows how these elements of C/D combine to form
phrases, hypermeters, choruses, and solos. Mehldau’s normative improvisational concept,
which was presented at the end of Chapter 5, is (1) introduction to solo via mainly consonant
material (vertical dissonances are the exception to the rule), (2) gradual introduction of new
dissonant elements (including dissonant both congruent and dissonant to cultural norms), and
(3) gradual build to musical climax (or climactic hypermetric waves using space to create
expectation) via juxtaposition of dissonances (in particular temporal density, metric
asynchronicity or metric shift (R/D), harmonic destabilisation (O/D), perceptual dissonance
(H/D), and linear tonality (H/D), and (4) elongation of music climax predominantly via
repetition of motif, blues, crips, melody and other consonances.
The clearest way to demonstrate my holistic concept of improvisational C/D is by composing

a prepared solo that demonstrates application of my normative improvisational approach. I
have chosen a simple 4-bar vamp (Dm7 | Fm7–Bb7 | Cmaj7–E7 | A7) and composed a simple
melody to accompany the sequence (see Figure 115).
Dm7 Fm7 B !7(b9)

& c .. œ œœ
3
b œ œ œ œ
3
œ œ œ #œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
A 7(b9)
1
Cmaj7 E7
œ œ œ
& œ œ œ #œ bœ œ œ b œ ..
3
Figure 115: Holistic Concept – Melody and Harmonic Vamp for Prepared Solo
This solo comprises of 10 choruses using this 4-bar vamp; essentially it demonstrates C/D
using the devices described above, in accordance with the framework derived from studying
Mehldau’s improvisation. A transcript of this prepared solo is provided in Figures 116–119 .
208
Holistic Concept
12/8 Ballad q=60
B !7
H/C (M1.1)
H/C (M1)
1 Dm7 Fm7 3 C/C
&c œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ bœ œ œ œ bœ œ œ œ nœ bœ œ œ
3
1
O/C (M) O/C (M)
Cmaj7 E7 A7
H/C + R/D (D/D)
œ œ #œ m
Œ œ #œ œ bœ œ œ œ #œ œ #œ œ nœ
3 3
& œ
3
! E7
V/D V/C (D) O/C (M) + C/C
Fm7
2 Dm7 j B7 Cmaj7
& œ œ Œ Ó Œ. œ œ œ ‰ bœ œ #œ œ œ œ #œ œ œ œ nœ
3 3
5
œ œ.
C/C (C) Space
V/D C/C (C) H/C (M2.1)
A7 H/C
H/C (M2)
3 Dm7
j œ
≈ œj . ≈ œ œ œ ‰ # œJ ‰ œ
C/C V/D
& œ œ ≈ bœ œ ≈ Œ œ
6
8 #œ œ >œ
B !7
R/D (M/A)
Fm7
œ. œ œ œ. Cmaj7 E7
C/C R/D (D/D)
& #œ œ bœ bœ œ œ
3
10
bœ œ œ œ œ œ . œ œ #œ œ œ œ .
4 Dm7
H/C (M3)
j œ bœ #œ œ #œ œ nœ bœ
H/C (M3.1)
A7
C/C
nœ œ bœ œ
V/C C/C
& œ #œ ≈ r ≈ Œ ‰ bœ ≈
H/D (C)
œ œ # œ œ
12 œ bœ œ œ
B !7 C
œ E7œ œ œ
H/C
Fm7 œ.
œ #œ #œ œ œ œ œ
3
& bœ œ œ œ bœ œ œ œ nœ #œ #œ œ œ.
14
H/C (M4) H/C (M4.1)
œ. œ œ J
A7
#œ . bœ œ œ bœ nœ bœ bœ
V/D (D) + R/C (T/D) R/C (T/E)
O/C (M)
bœ œ bœ bœ œ bœ bœ
& œ. bœ œ bœ bœ œ
16 œ bœ
H/D (L/T) + H/D (P/E) + R/D (T/D) H/D (C)
Figure 116: Holistic Concept – page 1
209
H/D (P/D)
HolisticConcept/2
#œ œ œ nœ œ
H/D (C)
# œ œ
R/C (T/B) H/D (L/T)
œ
#œ œ œ œ #œ œ œ œ
3
5 Dm7
œ œ
& œ œœœœ
17 œ œ œ œ
V/C (D)
V/C (D)
H/D (T/D)
H/D (C) B !7 œ œ
bœ œ œ bœ bœ œ œ
œœœœœ œ œ œ nœ œ œ
Fm7 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ # œ œ b œ œC/C
C/C
#œ
&
18
#œ œ œ œ œ œ
H/C (M5) H/C (M5.1)
œ
H/C
Cmaj7
œ œ E7
œ œ #C/Cœ œ # œ
3
œ œ œ
H/D (C)
& œ nœ œ #œ œ #œ œ œ
19
V/C (D)
V/C (D) + H/D (P/D) - H/C (P/E)
#œ
H/C (M5.2) + H/C (P/E)
Space
&
3 3
20
R/C (T/B) + œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
6 Dm7
R/C (T/E)
>œ
R/C
>œ œ œ >œ œ œ >œ œ œ b

œ œ œ œ œ œ
&
21
!
b œ œ œ b>œ b œ œ œ Bœ 7 œ œ œ n œ œ œ n œœœ œœœ
R/D (M/S)
Fm7
œ
C/D
&
22
R/D (M/S) O/D (Ha/D)
Cmaj7
œœ œœ œœ œ œ œ œ E7# œœœ œœ3 œœ œ œ œ œ
O/C (M)
œ œ œ œ œ
3
&
b œœ œœ3 œœ œœ œœ3 œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ n œ
23
A7
œ œ œ œ œ œ ® ® RÔ
&
24
V/D
210
3
HolisticConcept/3
7
Dm7 œ œ
3
œ œ
3 3
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3
& œ # œœ
25 ‰ ‰ J
B !7
H/C + R/D (M/S)
O/D (Ha/D)
Fm7 #œ œ œ #œ #œ œ nœ œ nœ
œ # œ # œ œ # œœ œ # œ
& œœ #œ ## œœ Œ
26
H/D (C)
H/D (P/D) + H/C
Cmaj7 E7
œ
H/D (C)
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ #œ œ œ
& œ. œ.
27 œ. œ. œ. #œ
H/D (C)
œ #œ bœ
H/C (P/E)
A7 œ #œ œ œ œ n˙
& œ
3 3
28 œ. œ. #œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
8 Dm7
V/D
& Œ # œœ œ nb œœ œ œ œ œ œ #n œœ œ nb œœ œ
29
C/C (B) V/D V/D V/D
œ œ #œ
H/D (C)
Bœ!7
H/D (C) H/D (C)
Fm7 œ
V/D (D)
b œ œ n œ b œ
H/D (C)
œ b œ
œ# œ# œ n œn œ œ n œ b œ# œn œ œ n œ b œ œ n œ
H/D (C)
& œ œ# œ # œ œ
30 œ
œ E7 H/D (C)
R/D (T/D)
# œ n œ œ b œ
H/D (C)
Cmaj7
œ #œ œ œ bœ nœ bœ nœ œ œ œ
H/D (C)
& # œœ
31
œ
R/D (T/E
V/D + C/D
211
HolisticConcept/4
O/D (Hy/D)
O/D (Ha/D) + R/D (M/A)
Dm7
R/C (T/B)
Fm7 B !7
A7
œœ # œœ nn œœ b œœœ b œœœ œœ bb œœ b œœ œœ #3œ n œ œœ œœ œœ Œ Ó
9
œ
9 9
œ œ œ b œ b œ n# œœ # œœ
3
& œœ # œœ # œ œ œ R œ bœ œ
32 J Space
œ œ œ nœ bœ #œ œ
R/D (T/D) + H/D (P/D) - H/C (P/E)
Cmaj7 E7
œ # œ # œ
& Ó ® œ #œ #œ œ
35 œ H/D (L/T)
V/C (D)
œœœœœ œ #œ œ bœ nœ œ œ
#œ bœ œ œ œ œ œ œ
C/C
A7 œ œ œ œ bœ œ
® ® œœœ# œb œ
& bœ
36
C/C (C) H/C
10 Dm Fm7 B !7 Cmaj7 E7
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3
b œ œ œ œ
3
& œ œœœ œ œ
37 #œ œ œ œ œ œ
O/C (M)
A7 11 Dm7
& #œ bœ œ œ bœ w
40
6.8.1. Observations
Chorus 1 begins with a 4-beat motif (M1) using the first two beats of the melody (O/C [M]).
The motif is transposed (and modified) up a minor third in bar 2 (M1.1); the motif concludes
with a cultural consonance by way of a descending half-whole diminished phrase that
resolves at bar 3 beat 1. The resolution is via a culturally consonant ‘backdoor’ progression
(IVm7–bVII7–I). At bar 3 beat 3 a vertical dissonance is heard by way of an unprepared
sharp ninth (G) over E7; this vertical dissonance resolves to a vertical consonance spelling E7
for the remainder of the bar. At bar 4 an organic consonance by way of three melodic notes is
played (the second note ornamented using a mordent), followed by the combination of
diminishing dispersal and conjunct melodicism (based on a turn) that resolves at bar 5 using a
212
pair of culturally consonant stabs at beat 1. At bar 4 beats 1–2 a culturally consonant 3rd to
b9 device is employed.
Chorus 2 begins with nearly 5 beats of space (acting as an emotional amplifier), followed by
a mild vertical dissonance, then a pair of stabs at bar 6 beat 3. A second motif (M2) is played
at bar 7 beats 1–2 and repeated (and transposed to fit E7) at bar 7 beats 3–4. At bar 8 a
horizontal consonance is followed by a cultural consonance at beat 2 (3rd to b9–C# to Bb),
and a vertical hyper-dissonance at beat 4 via the combination of a major 7th (C# and C) and
an unprepared #9th (C natural over A7).
Chorus 3 begins with the combined usage of diminishing dispersal (bar 9 beat 1–bar 10 beat
4) and metric asynchronicity (bar 9 beat 1–beat 10 beat 2). At bar 10 the culturally consonant
Bb half-whole diminished scale descends for most of the bar. The rhythmical hyper-
dissonance created during bars 9–10 is resolved at the beginning of bar 11 with a
rhythmically consonant 2-beat motif (M3), which is repeated (and transposed) over E7 during
beats 3–4. The hyper meter concludes with vertically consonant material built from A7b9.
Chorus 4 (bar 13) begins with a conjunct melody (H/C) based on a combination of enclosure
(C/C) and contrary motion; the phrase is suffixed at bar 13 beat 4 with a descending
chromatic passage. At bar 14 a fourth 1-beat motif (M4) occurs at beat 1 and develops at beat
2; bar 14 concludes with a vertically dissonant E Lydian ascending passage combined with
temporal density during beat 4. Temporal density eases at bar 15 beat 1, and at beat 3 an
organic consonance by way of melody is heard until bar 16 beat 1. After the small melodic
fragment at bar 16 beat 1, linear tonality of Db major is played using temporal density and
perceptual easing as the line descends during beats 2–4.
Chorus 5 employs a large amount of temporal density, spanning from bar 17 to bar 19; this is
combined with perceptual dissonance via tessitural extremes that are either maintained (bar
18) or decrease/increase (bar 19). Chorus 5 marks the beginning of a musical climax;
climaxes contain a large amount of contrastive valence and in this case, chorus 5 contains
many elements of C/D. In addition to temporal density and perceptual dissonance/easing, at
bar 17 beat 2 two diagonal vertical consonances are heard. At beat 3 linear tonality of E
major is spelt over Dm7; this is followed by a descending chromatic passage for the
remainder of the bar. At bar 18 a diatonic horizontally consonant line is heard, followed by an
ascending chromatic passage at the end of beat 2. A 1-beat motif (M5) is played at beat 3 and
repeated (M5.1) at beat 4 (using Bb half-whole diminished harmony); the motif is heard
213
again at bar 19 (M5.2), combined with a culturally consonant enclosure and an ascending
horizontal line into bar 19 beat 2. Culminating the chorus, an ascending vertical diagonal
consonance is heard at bar 19 beats 3–4, spelling E7b9 before a strong transformational beat.
Temporal easing and space occurs at bar 20.
Chorus 6 begins with a rhythmic dissonance via a metric shift during bar 21 as semiquavers
are clearly organised into 5-note groupings. The same metric shift occurs during the first half
of bar 22, and at bar 23 the melody is heard (albeit more temporally dense). Contrastively, the
organic consonance created by melodic use is combined with culturally dissonant triads (bar
23 beat 1), some mild harmonic destabilisation (D over E7) at bar 23 beat 3, and finally a
dissonant triad at bar 24 beat 1. The contrastive nature of this line helps to maintain the
climax created during chorus 5.
Chorus 7 begins (bar 25) with a line containing horizontal consonance (via conjunct
melodicism) and rhythmic dissonance (via a metric shift using triplets grouped into 4). At bar
26 organic dissonance occurs (via harmonic destabilisation) as E major–F# major–G# major
(heard consecutively) are played over an F minor chord. The line is supported with harmony
in the left hand. Perceptual dissonance (via two concurrent lines) is heard from bar 27 beat 1
to bar 28 beat 2, with perceptual easing occurring at the end of bar 28.
A blues figure is heard at bar 29, the beginning of chorus 8; this blues figure comprises of
both the D minor blues scale and the D major blues scale and contains regular use of minor
second-based vertical dissonances. At bar 30 beat 1 a vertically dissonant D Lydian
ascending passage is played over Fm7, followed by a long chromatic passage containing
descending chromaticism grouped into phrases that gradually ascend during the bar. In
addition, during bar 30 temporal density is also increased. Bar 31 comprises of chromatic
melodic material, using phrases that are grouped in four semiquaver groupings moving in
contrary motion; during this bar, temporal density has eased in comparison with bar 30. A
vertical and cultural dissonance is heard at bar 31 beat 3 as a major seventh (Eb) is spelt over
E7; as this major seventh doesn’t resolve to the dominant seventh, it is also a cultural
dissonance. A combination of harmonic destabilisation and metric asynchronicity begins at
bar 31 beat 4 and lasts until bar 33 beat 4, creating hypermetric dissonance into the next
chorus (due to the relatively slow tempo of this piece). Table 27 shows the harmonic
destabilisation found in bars 32–33 of the solo.
214
Table 27: Harmonic Destabilisation of bars 32–33 of Holistic Concept
A7 Dm7
A – D – E – D – F – Bb – Eb Eb – Ab – Db – Eb – B – E
As discussed, chorus 9 begins with a combination of hypermetric dissonance, harmonic

destabilisation, and metric asynchronicity, which is resolved via a transformational beat at bar
34 beat 1. Space is employed from bar 34 beat 2 to bar 35 beat 2. The final phrase of the solo
is played from bar 35 beat 3 to bar 36 beat 4 and consists of a combination of temporal
density, perceptual dissonance/easing, a vertical consonant Lydian ascending passage (bar 35
beat 3), linear tonality via anticipation to A7 (bar 35 beat 4), a Mehldau crip no. 4 (bar 36
beat 1), an ascending horizontal consonance (bar 36 beat 2), and finally a descending passage
based on the culturally consonant D harmonic minor scale. This prepared solo concludes with
a restatement of the melody during chorus 10, essentially resolving all forms of dissonance:
vertical, horizontal, rhythmic, organic and cultural.
6.8.2. Conclusions
This prepared solo adheres to the analytical model as described in this exegesis. The solo
includes heavy use of both motif/melody (and some blues material) to (1) begin the solo and
(2) to elongate music climax. Vertical dissonance is heard throughout. Other dissonances are
gradually introduced, building climactic hyper-dissonant waves and using space to create
expectation. In terms of music climax, the solo incorporates temporal density, metric
asynchronicity, metric shift, harmonic destabilisation, perceptual dissonance, and linear
tonality creating hyper dissonances. Diminishing dispersal and hypermetric dissonance occur
but do not significantly add to the sense of climax – they are used more as expressive tools.
6.9. Compositional C/D
This section details some of the ways in which I have used C/D in my compositions. It is
divided into subsections pertaining to vertical dissonance, conjunct melodicism/romanticism,
motif, organic consonance and dissonance, and contrastive valence.
215
œ œ œ ˙. œ œ ˙
Gmaj7 E !maj7 Cmaj7
#
& j
6œ- .Practice Directions
Chapter
13
œ œ œ ˙ œ nœ œ w w
Gmaj7 E maj7 ! Cmaj7 E !maj7
# ∑
& œ. j
6.9.1. Vertical Dissonance
œ
œ œ œ of˙my œ b œ ‘Mayaguez’.
. composition bœ œ ˙
!
17
Gmaj7 E maj7 Cmaj7

from a# Mehldau composition entitled ‘Jam’ (Where Do You Start, 2012) and this sequence is
Figure 120 shows bars 33–40 ‘Mayaguez’ uses the chords
& œ. j
œ œ wayœto ‘Kurt˙ Vibe’ (Ode, œ n œ2012),
œ so that
w ‘Mayaguez’ w
! !
21
developed in a similar follows an
# Cmaj7 form, whereA maj7 F7 of A and
A maj7
Ó.
& œ . j œ nœ
AABC-vamp C is simply a reharmonisation sharing the same key
centre. Figure œ
120 isœthe œ
C-section ˙ . and œ b
contains œtwo nvertical
œ b œ œdissonances.
˙ The first is at bar
25
35; a C isCmaj7 A !maj7 chord, spelling an unprepared

F6 D7sus sonority.
#
played over an A7#9 #9 over a dominant
&second
The œ . verticalj dissonance can be found at bar 37; here both the chord and melody
œ œ œ ˙ œ bœ œ w w
29
include a natural 11th over a dominant chord.
V/D
G7/B B !7 A7#9 D7add11
#
& Ó. œ bœ œ bœ ˙ .
œ . œj œ œ œ bœ œ bœ œ ˙
œ œ œ nœ œ
˙.
Doris
Build from nothing to HUGE!
33
Gmaj7 E !maj7 Cmaj7

V/D
#
& |. Û |. Û | ∑
Intro
&c
39
1 œ .œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ .œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ .œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ .œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
Figure 120: Vertical Dissonance – ‘Mayaguez’ – bars 33–40
Continue..
Figure 121 is an excerpt from my composition ‘Doris’. ‘Doris’ is a simple composition
Head
C F/C C
featuring the combination of a rhythmically active repeated 1-bar comp, and a slow–moving,
almost.. fully diatonic, harmonic progression. The final 4 bars of this progression
∑ are
& ww ww
Melody 8va on repeat
5
ww
contrafact. Two vertical dissonances can be found: a D7add11 chord at bar 15 (a vertical
C F/C C
& ww ww ∑
dissonance by itself) and a G natural played over a D7 chord at bar 16 (another perfect fourth
ww
dissonance).
9
V/D
Am7 Am11/G D7add11/F # F D7/F # G7
& ww ww # ww ˙˙ # œœ n œœ
13
V/D
C D7/C Fm7 1 C
..
& ww # ww b ww ww
17
Figure 121: Vertical Dissonance – ‘Doris’ – bars 13–20
Last x
U G !/D !
216
b w ∑
& bw
21
HEAD X3 IN AND ONCE OUT
6.9.2. Conjunct Melodicism/Romanticism
As discussed in Chapter 6.3.1, romantic musical elements include leaps of a major or minor
sixth, other intervallic skips for drama, use of flat sixths at cadences, lyrical intervallic
quality, enhancement of cadential resolution via non harmonic notes, melodic chromaticism,
balanced three-part motivic statements, and cadential suspension. Figure 122 shows the first
eight bars of my composition ‘Amelie’. This is a ballad played in a quasi-stride style with a
strong melodic contour and functional harmonic movement at its core. The 32-bar form is
divided into three asymmetrical sections (lengths of 8, 12 and 12 bars respectively). Like
‘Elegy For William Burroughs And Allen Ginsberg’ (Elegiac Cycle, 1999), ‘Amelie’ has a
lament-like quality; it shares a similar 19th-century romantic feel.
Romantic devices include a three-part motivic statement (bar 2 beats 2–4), intervallic skips
Amelie
(bar 2 beats 1–2 and bar 6 beats 3–4), melodic chromaticism bar 6 beats 1–2 to bar 7 beat 1),
and an interval of a major sixth (bar 8 beat 1).
E !maj7 D !¢ C• B !•
Three-part motific statement
Fm7
bbb c œ œ œ œ œ nœ bœ œ œ . œ
3
& ˙. œ œ œ œ bœ œ œ nœ œ nœ ˙.
3
Intervallic Skip
D !6 C¶ B7 # 11 B !•
b
Intervallic skip 3
& b b ˙. œœœ œ œ œ
œ bœ œ nœ nœ ˙. œœœ œ œ œ œ œ œ
3
5 nœ œ
Melodic Chromaticism Major Sixth
Figure 122: Conjunct Melodicism/Romanticism – ‘Amelie’ – bars 1–8
E !maj7 Dexample
!¢ canC• B !•
Fm7 16 bars of3 my composition
b œ. œ
Another romantic be found during the first ‘21-12’
& b b123).
˙ . ‘21-12’œhas
œ œa 19th n œ œ n œ leaning
œ centuryœ romantic ˙ . and isœ entirely œ n œonb œoneœ
œ œ œbased
3
(Figure
bœ œ
BN
9
G !maj7 G !maj7 BN
rhythmic and melodic motif. Like Mehldau’s works, this composition includes both expected
b . modulations; it btraverses
˙ œ the œ keys of F major,
. ˙ œA major
D minor, Bb3bmajor, œ
&b b ˙ œ œ bœ œ ˙ œ œ bœ
3
and unexpected
and
13 D major via functional cadences. The melody is highly lyrical, using chromaticism and
thicken the BN
extensions Gto!maj7 B !• and consists of 16-,
Fm11 is 43 bars in length,
b œ b˙ œ œ
harmonic palette. The form
b b6-bar
21-&and w sections. bœ œ ˙ Ó nœ bœ nœ bœ œ œ œ
3
œ
E !maj7 Dinclude
!¢ B !•bars 6–9 and bars
17
C• three-part motivicFm7statements 3(bars 2–5,

b œ œ œ nœ bœ œ œ . œ
& b band˙ .melodic œchromaticism n œ 3œbeat
Romantic devices 3 balanced
œ œ œ b œ (e.g.œbar n œ 4–bar
˙ . 4 beatœ1).œ
10–13),
œ
E !/B Fm7(! 5) B !7 E !m7 A !7
21
Cm7
b
& b b w œ œ #œ nœ ˙œ œ œ
œ ˙ œ b œ217 ˙ œ bœ œ œ b˙ œ œ œ œ
3
25 nœ
D !7 G !maj7 Fm7 B !7
b œ bœ œ nœ bœ œ bœ œ ˙.
&b b œ ∑
Melodic Chromaticism Melodic
Fmaj7 Em7(! 5) A¢
j
Chromaticism
& b 43 .. ˙ . œ . # œj œ œ œ. œ j
œ œ bœ
1 #œ œ #œ .
Balanced three-part motific statements
Dm11 Cm11
. F7# 5
Melodic
œ bœ nœ œ bœ nœ œ j
Melodic Chromaticism
& b ˙. œ. #œ .
Chomaticism
J J œ œ œ
5
B !maj7
F/A œ œ œ
˙. œ. j œ. œ. j
&b œ œ œ J œ œ œ
CZ ! 9
9
E !N D !N
Gm7
& b ˙. ˙. ˙. ˙.
13
Figure 123: Conjunct Melodicism/Romanticism – ‘21-12’ – bars 1–16
21-12
Fmaj7 Em7(! 5) A¢
j j
6.9.3. Motif
b ˙shows
& 124 . the first 16œbars. of œ œ . ‘San
# œmyœ composition œ Juan’.œ ‘San#Juan’ is aj33-bar
œ bœ
Figure
# œ œ . œ
#
17
Dm11 the keys of G major, E minor, Cm11 F7 5 and A major

motivic composition built on a constantly shifting functional harmonic framework that
b œ b œ n œ œ . b œ n œ œ # œ . œJ œ œ
˙ . relationships, orœ .via tonicisation
&via V–I J J The initial motif is 4 bars long,
modulates through A minor, G minor, F major,
either (e.g. bars 1–2).
B !maj7 through various keys via sequential
F/A repetition, reduction and development.
œ œ œ
21
. œ.
&b ˙ j œ. œ. j
and is transposed
œ œ œ J
The first bar of the motif spells a diatonic triad preceded by a chromatic appoggiatura. An
œ œ #œ
25
example of motivic reduction can be found at bar 9 where the second half of the 4-bar motif
Em11 A7 2-bar motif that Dm7
œ Dm7/C
j # œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ. œ œ bœ
& b œ. œ œ #œ œ. J J J
has been discarded, forming a new is repeated during bars 11–12 and 13–14.
B !maj7 Bm7(! 5)
29
E¶ Amaj7
. œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ
&b œ J J J #œ .
J
33
218
San Juan
Cm7 D7
Em7 B7/D #
# œ b œ j j j
œ. œ œ. œ œ. œ œ. œ œ. j
& c Œ bœ œ œ
œ J œ ˙
1
# !
4-bar motif
# CŒ m7( 5) Cmaj7
j B£
œ b œ œ . œj œ . œ œ . j j
Em7
j
& œ #œ œ œ # œ œ . œ œ . œ ˙
5
E7 Am7 D7 Gm7
# j
& Œ œ œ #œ œ bœ œ . œ ˙
Chances are...
Œ œ œ
œ bœ ˙ Ó
9
#œ #œ œ
1x piano then band
C7Cmaj7 A !maj7 Fmaj7 Fmaj7 E7 D !NA Cmaj7

& c# .. Œ| .. j œ|... j Û # œ|. . j
2-bar motif
&
Û | ..
œ j œ
Û
. œ œ ˙
Û
œ #œ # œ œ œJ# œ nœ œ . # œ œ JJ
A !maj7 !
1
Fmaj7 DN C
13
& | .. Û |. Û | .. Û |. Û ..
5
Figure J
124: Motif – ‘San Juan’– bars 1–16 J
Stop!
Cm7 D7 Em7 B7/D #

# Cmaj7Œ j
œ bœ œ . œ œ . œ œ . j j
2-bar motif
&.. œ
A !maj7 Fmaj7 !
œ
DN
œ . j Cmaj7
& Ó b œ
œœ œ œ œb œ œ J œ œ . œ œ˙b œ
œ œ œ bœ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ bœ œ œ œ
C #m7(! 5) Cmaj7
B£ Em7
17
# Œ j
9
j Fmaj7 j
D !N
j Cmaj7
&Ó œ bœœ œ bœœ œ . œœb œ œ . œ œ . # œj œ . œ œ . œ œ˙b œ
& œ #œ
œ œ œ
œ œ œ ˙ œ œ bœ œ œ œ œ œ
B7/D #
# E7 FN G/D
21
13
Œ œ
œ œ
D7
œ œ
œ .. œœ ˙˙F7 Œ œDN
.
! Cmaj7
&& Ó œ
# œœ œœ œ# œœ œextended œ Jb œ œ
œ œ vamp ˙ œ #œ œ œ ‰ Ó
#œ œœ
œ bœ œ œ œ œ œ bœ œ
A7 Fmaj7 G Em7/AAm7 A
25
17
D7 F7 F7
# Œ œœ œœ . œj œœœbœœ œ . œ˙j œ œ œœ .
21
&& ˙ #œ œ œ œ
œ œ œœ # œ œ œ œ bwœ œ œ œ ∑
œ
œ b œ œ.
D7add11 F7 F/G
29
& ˙ œ œ bœ œ œ œ œ œ bœ œ ˙ œ œ bœ œ œ œ œ œ bœ œ
25
Figure 125: Motif – ‘Chances Are’ – bars 9–28
Figure Cmaj7 A !maj7 melody fromFmaj7 D !NAre’. ‘ChancesCmaj7

.. . .. .
125 shows the 20-bar my composition ‘Chances Are’ is a
& | composition, inspired Û
| by the repeated out-vamp
| | Û Û Û
contrafact
29 J heard on Mehldau’s recording of
J
A !maj7 Fmaj7 D !N C
‘Anything Goes’ (Anything Goes, 2006). This 4-bar vamp utilises constant structure,
.. on Anything Goes,
& |based Û Swung| . Groove, MotifÛBased Melody,
| .. Unexpected Ending, | . Number ofÛBars,..
Û Irregular
J tension #9flat9 on D7 J
Chords
tension flat9 on Dflat major,
u
33
219
employing major chords to descend through major and minor thirds. The melody is solely
derived from a 2-bar motif that is adapted to fit over different chords.
6.9.4. Organic C/D
Figure 126 shows the melody from ‘Doris’. At a length of 16 bars, ‘Doris’ is a composition
using a short form, and consequently organic consonance via repetition plays an important
role (as discussed in Chapter 4.5.4). Meyer (1956) states, ‘as the repeated figure becomes the
center of attention, the listener will begin to expect changes to take place… if the figure
remains stable or is subjected to only minor variations, saturation may set in’ (p. 137). Meyer
is referring to two game plans with regards to repetition, and Mehldau uses both. First,
Mehldau creates a vamp close to the end of a musical performance, based on a simple
repeated chord sequence. The chord sequence, initially intended to be the focus, is repeated
without much change. Second, as saturation begins to set in (Meyer, 1956, p. 135), Mehldau
then begins to improvise, often building dissonance to climatic heights. Essentially ‘Doris’
utilises harmonic repetition because the chord progression is short enough to be vamp like;
gradual build from consonance to dissonance is a requirement when performing this work.
Contrarily, organic dissonance can be found in the coda section of ‘Doris’. The final chord in
the piece is an unrelated Gb/Db chord; the abruptness of this final sonority is organically
dissonant in three ways. First, the chord implies an abrupt modulation to Gb major from C
major. Second, the Gb major chord is further destabilised by the use of the second inversion,
and finally, the chord doesn’t resolve back to C major, but instead fades to nothing using a
fermata.
220
Head
Intro
& c6 - Practice Directions

œ .œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ .œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ .œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ .œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
Chapter
1
Continue..
Organic Consonance (vamp)
C F/C C
& .. ww ww ww ∑
5
C F/C C
& ww ww ww ∑
9
Am7 Am11/G D7add11/F # F D7/F # G7

& ww ww # ww ˙˙ # œœ n œœ
13
C D7/C Fm7 Last x

fi C
& ww # ww b ww ww ..
17
fi
U G !/D !
b
& bww
21
Organic Dissonance
Figure 126: Organic Consonance and Dissonance – ‘Doris’ – bars 5–21
6.9.5. Contrastive Valence
Figure 127 shows the first 20 bars of ‘La Romana’. ‘La Romana’ shares the same groove as
‘Don’t Be Sad’ (Highway Rider, 2010), a swung waltz with a laid-back backbeat. In ‘Sky
Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith)’ (Highway Rider, 2010) Mehldau employs a bassline that
predominantly moves either chromatically or in tones. ‘La Romana’ contains similar bass
movement to ‘Sky Turning Grey’; the melody is lyrical and motivic, employing chromatic
appoggiaturas.
‘La Romana’ employs contrastive valence using the juxtaposition of several devices. Bar 14
contains expressive variation via a straight feel played over a swung groove; in addition, the
phrase is lyrical and romantic in nature, employing three-part motivic statement which is
suffixed with a descending chromatic figure leading to the next bar. Another, perhaps more
contrastive example can be found at bar 16 in a phrase containing the same dissonant features
as bar 14 with the addition of a vertical dissonance at beat 1 (D# over an E7 chord). So bar 16
221
Am7 D7 Am7 D7
& 43 ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Am7 D7 Am7 D7
Chapter
1 6 - Practice Directions
& ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
contains horizontal consonance (conjunct melodicism), vertical dissonance (single note), ’ ’ ’
5
Head and
horizontal solos
dissonance (chromaticism), and rhythmical dissonance (expressive variation).
C/G E7/G # Ȧm7 Fm7

œ œ œ . œ œ
& .. ˙ . J œ
J J œ œ
J
9
Romanticism (H/C) H/D (C) Romanticism (H/C)
C/E B/D # Dm7 E7

œ bœ
H/D (C) H/D (C)
& ˙. œ œ œ œ œ bœ ˙. # œ n œ
13
#œ œ
V/D
E7/G #
R/D (E/V)
Am7 Ȧm7/G Dadd9/F #

R/D (E/V)
œ œ œ œ #œ . œ œ œ œ
& ˙. J œ
3
J J
17
Fmaj7 C/E Fmaj7 C/E

∑ ∑ œ œ œ œ
& ˙. J J
Dadd9/F # Bm7(! 5)
21
E7alt
Romanticism (H/C)
Fmaj7 Am7
œ bœ œ œ œ ˙.
& ˙. #˙ . œ œ œ #œ #œ nœ # œ
25
R/D (E/V)
Figure 127: Contrastive Valence – ‘La Romana’ – bars 9–29
D7
6.10. Summary Am7
of Practice Directions D7
While
& ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
Chapters 4 and 5 defined and exemplified an analytical model exploring many types of
’ ’ ’
30
C/D found in some of the music played by Brad Mehldau, Chapter 6 has been prescriptive in
nature, detailing how I have transferred these elements into my own playing. The chapter has
NO REPEAT ON IN HEAD
(1) defined my use of individual sonorities pertaining to C/D, (2) outlined psychological
concepts of expectation derived from cognitive studies by Huron (2006) and Meyer (1956),
(3) outlined the holistic use of consonance and dissonance via analysis of a prepared written
improvisation/solo, and finally (4) outlined compositional tools that utilise concepts of C/D.
222
6.11. Summary of Exegesis
This exegesis has (1) conducted a detailed formal analysis of improvisation in the music of
Brad Mehldau by way of case studies comprising transcriptions of 10 solos and many extracts
and (2) defined and exemplified a new approach to jazz analysis derived from a study of
holistic consonance and dissonance, and cognitive research into perceived motivation. It is
hoped that the original analytical model developed herein will spur further study into both
method and perceived motivation for improvised music as a whole.
223
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Discography
Mehldau, B. (1995). Introducing Brad Mehldau [CD]. USA: Warner Bros.

Mehldau, B. (1996–2000). The art of the trio: Volumes 1–5 [CD]. USA: Warner Bros.
Mehldau, B. (1999). Elegiac cycle [CD]. USA: Warner Bros.
Mehldau, B. (2000). Places [CD]. USA: Warner Bros.
Mehldau, B. (2001). Largo [CD]. USA: Warner Bros.
Mehldau, B. (2004). Anything goes [CD]. USA: Nonesuch Records.
Mehldau, B. (2004). Live in Tokyo [CD]. USA: Nonesuch Records.
Mehldau, B. (2005). Day is done [CD]. USA: Nonesuch Records.
Mehldau, B. (2006). House on hill [CD]. USA: Nonesuch Records.
Mehldau, B. (2008). Brad Mehldau trio live [CD]. USA: Nonesuch Records.
Mehldau, B. (2010). Highway rider [CD]. USA: Nonesuch Records.
Mehldau, B. (2011). Live in Marciac [CD]. USA: Nonesuch Records.
Mehldau, B. (2012). Ode [CD]. USA: Nonesuch Records.
Mehldau, B. (2012). Where do you start [CD]. USA: Nonesuch Records.
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References
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Brad Mehldau - Anlasis Tesis Solos

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Analytic, Descriptive, and Prescriptive

Components of Evolving Jazz:

Mark Edward Baynes

An exegesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of

Doctor of Musical Arts

The University of Auckland

1.1. About the Researcher

Mark Baynes is a contemporary pianist, accompanist and composer, specialising in

1.3. Chapter Outline

This document is divided into six chapters: Introduction, Background/Literature,

Chapter 1 serves as an introduction to the exegesis.

Chapter 6 is descriptive; it outlines my performance concept derived from the exegesis.

2.1. Who Is Brad Mehldau?

Mehldau has performed as a sideman (and/or collaborator) with internationally renowned

2.2. What Is Mehldau’s Musical Contribution to Jazz Music?

2.2.1. Redefinition of Left and Right Hands

2.2.2. Expansion of Trio Repertoire

2.2.3. Rhythmic Phrasing

2.2.3.1. Micro Rhythm

2.2.3.2. Macro Rhythm

2.2.4. Freedom from Cliché

2.3. Why Study Mehldau?

1. Mehldau’s music represents an original voice in improvised music; an in-depth case

2.4. Annotated Discography

2.4.1. Mehldau, B. (1995). Introducing Brad Mehldau/The Brad Mehldau Trio.

2.4.5. Mehldau, B. (1999). Elegiac Cycle/Brad Mehldau Solo Piano.

2.4.7. Mehldau, B. (2000). Places/The Brad Mehldau Trio.

2.4.9. Mehldau, B. (2002). Largo/Brad Mehldau.

2.4.10. Mehldau, B. (2004). Anything Goes/The Brad Mehldau Trio.

2.4.11. Mehldau, B. (2004). Live in Tokyo/Brad Mehldau Solo Piano.

2.4.12. Mehldau, B. (2005). Day Is Done/The Brad Mehldau Trio.

2.4.13. Mehldau, B. (2006). House on Hill/The Brad Mehldau Trio.

2.4.15. Mehldau, B. (2010). Highway Rider/Brad Mehldau.

2.4.16. Mehldau, B. (2011). Live in Marciac/Brad Mehldau Solo Piano.

2.4.17. Album Summary

Table 1 shows a summary of Mehldau’s annotated discography.

Album Name Comments

depth; intuitive musical interplay;

Day Is Done Jeff Ballard joins trio; sound arguably

Highway Rider Strong links to Largo but with a less

2.5. Analysis of the Music of Brad Mehldau

In Issues in the Analysis of Improvisation: A Structuralist Approach to the Work of Brad

chord-scale relationships. Wood highlights devices such as motif, melodic fragments,

Due to a lack of an existing multidisciplinary analytical framework merging analytical tools

2.6. Model of Consonance and Dissonance

2.7. Music and the Psychology of Expectation: Huron

Understanding Mehldau’s manipulation of C/D has required (1) an understanding of

ITPRA is a theory of expectation developed in David Huron’s 2006 book Sweet

2.7.2. Imagination Response and Tension Response

2.7.3. Prediction Response/Effect

2.7.4. Reaction Response and Appraisal Response

2.7.5. Contrastive Valence/Limbic Contrast

2.8. Limitations of Exegesis

2. The method of analysis formalised by the researcher is also self-serving, as analysis in

2.9. Research Intentions

Another research intention (via practice-directed research) is the rote-based internalisation

3.3. Selection Process

3.3.1. Initial Selection

It was first necessary to select a cross-section of Mehldau’s musical output. I selected 16

1. Physical releases only

Table 2: Initial Selection

Album Format Live/Studio Release Date

AOT1 Trio Studio 1996